There are few artists who force their audiences to reach outside the realm of musical terminology to accurately describe their sound. Belle and Sebastian is an example of one of them.
The band’s general sound conveys a kind of innocence with a vintage feel, much like the nostalgia of a 70s after-school television special, but without the poor animation. Within their distinct sound and style, however, the band has left more and more room for a change towards pop sensibility.
Belle and Sebastian’s recent style transformation culminated in their 2003 album, Dear Catastrophe Waitress, in which the band left behind for good much of their hazy nostalgia for a more polished, straightforward lacquer. As the first album since this major transformation, The Life Pursuit furthers this trend and settles into a routine of similarly upbeat melodies that seem a little too plastic for a band that had such a distinct flavor in their past.
“Another Sunny Day,” while still displaying their newfound studio polish, retains much of the classic Belle and Sebastian sound, as does the relaxed sincerity of “Dress Up in You.” “Act of the Apostle Parts I and II” serve as the best examples of successful experimentation, delving into deeper pop arrangements while avoiding the glossy overkill of other tracks.
The Life Pursuit’s failure to equal past Belle and Sebastian records can be attributed to the band’s decision to bring to the forefront polished pop songs previously relegated to the status of filler. To compensate, they have improved upon such songs, creating a bright, happy but rather empty album. In the end, this compromise, including the few shining tracks, falls short of exceptional. Belle and Sebastian can—and did— do better than just bright and happy.
