A Lifestyle Choice

Apologies to regular readers of The Soberius Tavern, your dutiful and hospitable landlord has been otherwise busy. I promise a return to speed shortly as there is much to address. Anyway to business.

It is exactly a year since Belle & Sebastian's The Life Pursuit came out on CD, and I am still playing it on an almost daily basis. For those who do not own a copy, I say get down to your nearest emporium and purchase immediately.

It is one of those rare albums that can always bring a smile to the face. Making the listener think it is summer, even when outside, it is the middle of winter. As a result, it is constantly on my CD player. (only Sonya Madan's sublime Echobelly have been spent more time on my trusted turntable over the last year, and i have been into them for over twelve years).

Stuart Murdoch' s songwriting is always witty and interesting, and the tunes themselves are just so beautiful. I defy anyone not to listen "Another Sunny Day" and not instantly replay this gorgeous melody. Or take "Sukie In The Graveyard" - I defy anybody not to be humming this one for days to come.

Some critics say that Belle & Sebastian are twee, but who gives a damn. I would rather have beautiful tunes rather than the brash swagger of over-hyped nonsense such as Babyshambles and The Killers.

There is a place for eccentricity, and I far prefer the genuinely unusual B&S to the current vogue for new torchlight singer-songwriters such as the terminally dire James Blunt, and the great Satan himself, Ray "I've been Saved by A Woman" LaMontagne. If I ever meet the woman in question, I will not be responsible for my actions.

The Life Pursuit has great guitar tunes, motown-esque ballads, blow up style pop and quite wonderful use of the piano. There is not a single bad track on it (rather like another scottish band , The Fratelli's album Costello Music which is also superb - I may talk about them at a later date)

So keep the forthcoming february blues at bay, and treat yourself to The Life Pursuit. It should if you are in any way serious about music, already be "A Way of life" . It can be be acquired on Play.com for a very reasonable £7.99.