Quite often when bands have reached the seventh album limit, people come to expect more of the same. Indeed, how can a band possibly be expected to present us with something new and fresh after all this time? Belle and Sebastian are amongst the select minority (the elite, if you will) who still have the uncanny ability to pleasantly surprise us with each and every release.
The Life Pursuit, Belle and Sebastian’s latest full-length release, isn’t stand-alone either — it has been timed to coincide with the release of a comic book. Fans of the band have been waiting for this for a long, long time for, as anyone who is familiar with their music would be able to attest, a comic book is the perfect accompaniment to this band. Like their musical releases, this book will no doubt achieve cult status around the world.
The Life Pursuit is one of those rare albums that can make you stop dead in your tracks. It’s sheer beauty has the capability of rendering the listener completely mesmerised; so mesmerised, in fact, that they might even forget what they were doing. Certainly, any of the tracks can do this, but the one that rendered this listener practically incapacitated by it’s encapsulating sound was Sukie in the Graveyard. For some reason this song triggered an overwhelming nostalgic feeling. Perhaps this is because it is laced with undertones of David Bowie, or perhaps it is simply a beautiful track.
The Life Pursuit chronicles the journeys of several characters, and it sensitively and intelligently addresses subject matter based largely around religion and love. The album opens with The Act of the Apostle part 1, which shows us Belle and Sebastian at their best — catchy, exciting pop music, albeit telling a story of a personal nature. (It is said to be about a girl and her secret fantasies involving the Old Testament.)
When listening to this disc for the first time, even though you know for certain that you have never in your life heard it before, it sounds strangely familiar. This isn’t because they are reinventing the wheel or sticking to a formula. It’s because Belle and Sebastian are masters at writing and performing songs that envelope whoever happens to be in earshot of their glorious sounds. The single Funny Little Frog is a prime example of how this is done. Now, Belle and Sebastian don’t exactly strike me as the kind of band that places much emphasis on releasing singles but, nevertheless, I hope that this one is able to have the profound effect on new listeners introduced to them via a radio that they have been having on millions of other fans for years.
Australia was lucky enough in 2004 to be graced with Belle and Sebastian in person when they finally toured here. The tour was so successful that some cities were even lucky enough to host the band for more than one night. John Peel himself even described the ‘surprising muscularity’ of Belle and Sebastian’s 2003 set at the Glastonbury Festival. Anyone who saw them on their Australian tour can attest that Belle and Sebastian are truly an amazing and talented band. One can only hope that their arguably risky decision to bring their live show here can influence other bands of similar cult status to visit us as well. (Of course, this may very well already be underway with Icelandic group Sigur Ros about to make their way here for the second time in less than twelve months.)
There are too many tracks on The Life Pursuit notable of mention. In fact, all of them are. My advice is to stop reading and go and buy this album. Not next week, not when the price comes down, not as an illegal download. Walk yourself right into the nearest record store and buy The Life Pursuit. NOW. I guarantee it will make your day.
