Tigermilk

This is my second album by Belle and Sebastian (my first being If You're Feeling Sinister). It was literally my second album ever reviewed on this generator. Nothing to get too excited about, this is generic indie pop. The impressive thing is that they are from Scotland, and for once I didn't absolutely hate it. This album cover is completely fucked though.

Favorite songs: You're Just a Baby, She's Losing It, The State I Am In, We Rule the School

Least favorite songs: Electronic Renaissance

3/5

About 30 seconds in I was very dubious and this one but holy crap what an album. Stunned me how much I enjoyed it

Meh? Feels very generic.

Liked it a bit more than I thought I would. Some interesting instrumentation, good harmonies.

See previous Belle & Sebastian review.

4.5

Well for my first studio album in a while, Tigermilk was quite a nice surprise. The album incredibly chill, in fact, it was probably one of the most chill albums i have done for this project. The songs did mostly seem to follow the same formula being that of a folk pop rock formula but it wasn't really something i minded too much and it did help some of the more interesting songs stick out more. I did go into the album thinking that the production wasn't going to be all that good but after listening to it, i thought it was pretty alright. This album was actually a great surprise for me.
Best Song: The State I Am In
Worst Song: My Wandering Days Are Over

Pleasant enough but puts me to sleep. The singer’s lisp kinda annoys me. Extra star for Isobel Campbell.

Tweeee

Flashing back to downstairs in the old original 13th Note on Glassford Street in Glasgow, Belle & Sebastian were releasing new EPs every other month and life was simpler, or I was simpler, but I digress...

Upbeat, but not overly jaunty, twee, but not overly cutesy, just a chill laid back jam session in your living room with old friends.

Surely one of the albums of all time. Bit like the Young Rascals album but modernized. I liked the songs and vocals were quite nice to listen to, but I don't think I'll listen to it again.

This album sounds like flannel. Very much reminds me of something like Vampire Weekend. The instrumental on I Don’t Love Anyone is very similar to Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie and The Blowfish. Favorites were The State I Am In, She’s Losing It, I Could Be Dreaming, and I Don’t Love Anyone.

Meh

Was alright, but not for me really. Inoffensive coffee shop music

3 ⭐️

One of the definitive bands of 90s indie, this is the opening of a near perfect run of three albums in a row for B&S. The seeds of this are sown by the bands on the C86 compilation, but this is the cream of that crop of quiet British indie pop, making them the heirs to the Smiths. The melodic phrasing in the vocals is full of surprises, like a familiar nursey rhyme that goes off in unexpected directions. The horns bring such a bright energy and harmonic complement, the jangly clean/acoustic sound and simple but lively rhythm playing gives it an infectious joy. I'm sucker for this combination of bright poppy upbeat music paired with wry melancholy lyrics, for the disco flourishes, the tremelo guitar, the sing-along choruses and intimately observed and self-depreciating verses. It's gorgeous autumnal music, bittersweet and wistful, relaxing and uplifting.

Aways found B&S a bit limp-wristed and watery at the time, but it's such a perfectly evocative sound of the mid-90s, but somehow it has a Nick Drake-esque timelessness.

Probably a bad idea to wear a watch in the shower.

Just not clicking. 2.5

Horribly fragile. 1.4

I really liked this album. The State I Am In is a really strong start. The momentum keeps up for awhile but dips in the midpoint. I'll definitely relisten but for now very good. 3.8/5 -> 4/5.

Every B&S album is a grower. This one didn’t hit me on first listen, but I might return to it.