If You’re Feeling Sinister

cozy and nice

This fucking list makes me look like I hate music

Eh. Not bad.

I love “Tigermilk,” but “If You’re Feeling Sinister” has never captured me in the same way. I enjoy the strange lyrics, and the production on B&S albums always sounds crisp and clean, and this record is no exception. But this album didn’t have any songs that stick around in my head after listening, unlike “Tigermilk” or “Dear Catastrophe Waitress.” I recognize that this album was very influential, and it does seem that it should have been released 10 years after it actually did, but I just feel rather middling about it. It does feel hard to imagine Sufjan Stevens or The Shins without this album. Their music tends to reward repeat listens, and I might feel differently after spending more time with this album.

I've never listened to a Belle and Sebastian album start-to-finish before.

This just isn't grabbing me. I feel bored, and frequently it sounds like the singer is bored with the music too.

Stuart Murdoch has an incredible way with melody; makes me want to sing or whistle along. I love this album; one of Belle and Sebastian's best, and a long time favorite.

This album is well crafted and thoughtful, even if it never quite pulls me all the way in. The production is clean and considered, and I appreciated the moments where the band deviates from its core formula and lets the arrangements stretch a bit. Those were the points where the record felt most alive to me.

The vocals didn’t fully land. They’re clearly a stylistic choice, but they kept me at a distance emotionally, and the overall softness meant the album often faded into the background unless I made a point to focus. When I did lean in, the lyrics revealed themselves as clever, humane, and quietly observant, which I respected more than I was moved by.

This feels like a record that rewards attention but doesn’t demand it, and that’s both its strength and its limitation for me. I can see why it’s beloved, especially for its writing and tone, but it doesn’t alter my musical worldview or feel essential in a personal way.

A solid high three: smart, well made, and intermittently engaging, but not something I feel compelled to return to regularly.

“Get me away from here” has been one of my favorite songs for 20+ years, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to this album all the way through. Oops.

If you position The Fall by Camus so prominently on the cover of your indie band’s sophomore recording, you had better serve us some (pardon me…) killer lyrics.

Not sure how to explain this. I found the first few songs on the album forgettable and while I did eventually get into the album, I'm not really interested in revisiting it again. One of those glad I listened to it once and maybe a few songs I'll check out again, but overall not really my thing.

Well this was totally inoffensive.
Just a plain and pleasant listen.
There’s some basic arrangement ideas here but the recording keeps it fairly devoid of dynamics so by the end I just felt flat and emotionless.
I’m not sure what exactly would make this a must listen album but it’s not bad.
It’s just good.
That’s all.
Just good.

Overall just very bland for my liking. The vocals especially. Favorite track: The Fox in the Snow

Very whingeing whiny voice that grates a bit too much after a while. Songs all quite samey and - wait - did I hear a stylophone?
Much as I loved playing about on my grandad’s stylophone in the ‘70s, there’s no place for it in proper music. Put it in back in the toy box with your recorder, kazoo and harmonica (and then drop the box off a cliff).

I enjoyed the music on this album. I’m always a fan of horns and some of the songs have them. I can’t put my finger on why, but the singers voice bothers me. So I doubt I’ll return to this album because of that, if not for the singer this could be a 4 star for me. Mayfly and Judy and the Dream of Horses are my two favorite songs.

My second belle & Sebastian album, and while it's very sweet and detailed, I kind of had a hard time gelling with it. From the title track on, things did connect a little better, so maybe I just need to listen a few more times, but for now I don't have a lot of strong feelings or interesting takes on this. I will say though, even if I'm not floored here, the craftsmanship is pretty amazing. It's another Belle and Sebastian album that feels like a real labor of love, which does endear me to it on some level.

good album

Feels like the OG Fleet Foxes

Another band that I believed to be some sappy Brit pop losers but was amazed to find out I liked. They had intricate melodies and I liked the urgency of some of the songs. I would have given it four stars but it felt quite derivative and reminded me of Pulp/Richard Hawley

An excellently produced album and Stuart #1's voice really shines through.

Some really good songs and some OK ones.

Not bad, but I can't say I enjoyed it a lot.