I Could Be Dreaming: the Belle and Sebastian song-by-song, album-by-album thread

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Lance LaSalle, May 21, 2020.

  1. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK
    And, here it is:

     
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  2. Vagabone

    Vagabone Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    A pretty good attempt at the genre, but I feel it falls short of all it could have been. By far the most streamed song on the album on Spotify, so what do I know? 4/5
     
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  3. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK
    What you know is that people on Spotify are streaming the wrong track.
     
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  4. vonseux

    vonseux Re-channeled Stereo

    Location:
    Portugal
    Party Line

    big 5/5

    and how not giving this score? how often a song comes in as in such big statement for the band new sound identity?

    I think the last time B&S made such a standout song was with I'm a Cuckoo?

    The infectious synth melody and catchy chorus. This song sounds great live, check some videos in how people actually "jump to the beat". Priceless.

    Funny enough first time I head this song in public was at Zara's dressing room.
     
  5. irong

    irong Forum Resident

    Location:
    Quebec, Canada
    Party Line: 4

    Another solid track and a worthy single. Also a good choice sequence-wise, it establishes the sound and style of the album firmly.
     
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  6. therunner

    therunner Forum Resident

    Location:
    England
    "Party Line" is dominated by that awful generic computer generated disco/dance club beat that drowns everything else out. But even if I could strip that out it still wouldn't be a great song, because although the verse melody is quite good the chorus is too simplistic.

    2/5

    On the bright side it could have been worse - imagine B&S doing rap or heavy metal.
     
  7. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK
    Belle and Satan
     
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  8. Gregalor

    Gregalor Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Hell and Sebastian
     
  9. Freek999

    Freek999 Forum Resident

    Party Line 4/5
     
  10. Lance LaSalle

    Lance LaSalle Prince of Swollen Sinus Thread Starter

    Sorry about the lateness of this: went for a 12 km off-piste hike in the mountains with my wife and her new trusty navigating smart watch so we could look for wolf prints and we got lost. However, you will be happy to learn that we survived.

    Our vote for "The Party Line"

    1-0
    2-2
    3-2
    4-4
    5-1
    Average: 3.4222
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2021
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  11. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK

    There might be a song in there, somewhere . . .
     
  12. Lance LaSalle

    Lance LaSalle Prince of Swollen Sinus Thread Starter

    Today's song is "The Power of Three", written by Belle and SEbastian (mostly Sarah Martin) and produced by Ben H. Allen III. The strings were arranged by Andy Thompson.

    Lyric.

    Dave McGowan: bass
    Ben H Allen III: Additional synth, drum programming, percussion
    The Laurels String Quartet: strings
     
  13. Vagabone

    Vagabone Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    I keep thinking I'm listening to a Saint Etienne song. That's a good thing for me, though. 4/5.
     
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  14. Lance LaSalle

    Lance LaSalle Prince of Swollen Sinus Thread Starter

    We did see fox (prints) in the snow.
     
  15. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK
    Was Richard ill or otherwise engaged? A pleasant enough song spoiled by production and drum machines. 2.5/5
     
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  16. irong

    irong Forum Resident

    Location:
    Quebec, Canada
    The Power of Three: 4.5

    I remember this one being heavily criticized by some fans for the lyrics. I don't see what's so wrong about them to be honest, if it's about polyamoury, well be it; there's been enough songs written about heteronormative love anyway. I also really really like the production on this one.
     
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  17. TheGoodDoctor

    TheGoodDoctor It used to go something like that

    Location:
    London
    Definitely agree with the St Etienne vibe. I really like the melody, similarly with Allie it’s rather addictive.

    4.
     
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  18. Freek999

    Freek999 Forum Resident

    The Power Of Three 3/5

    I'm not a fan of Sarah's voice
     
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  19. Lance LaSalle

    Lance LaSalle Prince of Swollen Sinus Thread Starter

    There may be real drums a long with programming, I don't know.
     
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  20. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK
    It all sounded a bit drum machine to me. I like drum machines. Hell, I've even owned a few. But this song didn't need one. And, while we're on the subject: when you're using a real string section why process them so they sound artificial? If you want artificial strings I'm sure Beans has some.
     
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  21. therunner

    therunner Forum Resident

    Location:
    England
    Maybe they hired the drum machine for a week and finished "Party Line" early so decided to get their money's worth and spoil "Power Of Three" with the damn thing as well. Shame, this would be a really good song without it, as Sarah's normally are.

    3/5

    P.S. Yes I hear St Etienne in this one too, and I've often thought I would like St Etienne songs better if there was less of the techno dance club beat to allow the melodies to breathe.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2021
  22. Dave in Preston

    Dave in Preston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Preston, UK
    Foxbase Alpha is a great album, but it's very much of its time. And Belle & Sebastian it ain't.
     
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  23. vonseux

    vonseux Re-channeled Stereo

    Location:
    Portugal
    did you get to see any Fox in the snow?
     
  24. vonseux

    vonseux Re-channeled Stereo

    Location:
    Portugal
    Power of Three

    Sarah strikes again! I really love this tune and can have it on any B&S playlist.

    4.5/5

    Not a 5 because her voice is not quite up there when it needs to raise at 2:00


    *I' ve never heard anything by St Etienne :sigh:
     
  25. therunner

    therunner Forum Resident

    Location:
    England
    Try this, it's one of their songs without an overpowering dance beat...

     

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