Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (Rough Trade)
4/5
By: Thomas Hannan
The view from outside the window is one of the same grey sky that's been omnipresent for months. Whilst it hasn't rained in an age, the place is so damp and gloomy that it feels as if it's been chucking it down relentlessly. Here, we're living in a constant evening. If anyone on this road felt moved to sit down and write a record, there probably wouldn't be a chirpy major chord in its entire duration.
It's OK though, us, we can at least remember the seaside, the sunshine breaking through the clouds, lemonade, listening to The Shins. Apparently in Scotland however, we're told the weather's been like that since the time of primordial sludge. Understandable then that for a change of direction her native artists should seek some brighter rays and blow the dust from off the old tale of seeking sunnier climes in Los Angeles, as Belle & Sebastian decided to try. Results? The only Belle & Seb record you'll ever bring to the beach.
It doesn't sound like 'The Boy With The Arab Strap'. Great - you already have one copy of that record, why would you desire another attempt at its peaks? The same, by the way, also goes for every artist ever. Instead, revel in something much more strident and cheerful, a progression that has every intention of carrying you along with it rather than leaving you stranded. Now's the time Belle & Sebastian want to let you know how much they like T-Rex. It's OK. Everything's OK.
Mark Bolan's everywhere here, but he's a fine fellow. 'The Blues are Still Blue' is at times close enough to his style to be as much of an homage to the man as a result of his influence, and as for 'White Collar Boy', it's so glam you'll be blinded by its trousers. But this isn't a complete severing of all ties to the past. Whilst they're doing it in different places over different sounds, they're making the same kind of luscious melodies they always have, only now bolstered by a sound of increasing confidence and a more flattering tan.
What they do and always have done and shall continue to do is done as it was, yet with the wisdom that comes with experience to plunder now more than ever. So when some signature slight and delicate composition is called for, they can offer the beautiful beyond compare ditty that is 'Dress up in You', when it's a famed kooky character based paean required you get the marvellously jittery 'Sukie in the Graveyard', or if it's the one defining moment that each LP of theirs usually contains which you require, the one which gestures towards the future of it all, you can be pointed in the direction of the incredible 'We Are The Sleepyheads' and feel completely satiated. Every bit of it served up in a way more conducive to real investigation, more rigorously defensive when faced with repeated listens, better, than possibly they ever have.
'For the Price of a Cup of Tea' stands as the only real indicator towards from whence this all originated, the contents of it as twee as its title, but also as charming. From there, it just keeps chirping towards pastures newer, greener, riper for the harvest that should come in impending records. A change being as good as a rest, Belle and Sebastian sound refreshed, and have created an LP with the ability, for an hour or so, to have the same effect on those within earshot. 'The Life Pursuit' is the kind of article that will make you want to visit Los Angeles, but spend a few years in Scotland first, just so as you're sure you'll really appreciate it.
Artists in this article: Belle & Sebastian
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