Many thanks to Mr. Nag! for running this. It's been a blast, and it will live forever in the funny little frog of my heart.
My ballot:Tracks1Me and the MajorLazy Line Painter JaneI Don’t Love AnyoneNobody’s EmpireI’m Waking Up to UsString Bean JeanPiazza, New York CatcherSukie In the GraveyardIf She Wants MeSeeing Other PeopleThe Stars of Track and FieldPhoto JennyIf You’re Feeling SinisterDress Up In YouEase Your Feet in the SeaGet Me Away From Here, I’m DyingSleep the Clock AroundJonathan DavidThe Rollercoaster RideThe Boy with the Arab StrapAllieAnother Sunny DayAct of the ApolstleShe’s Losing ItYou’re Just a BabyThe State I Am InI Love My CarWrapped Up In BooksThe Blues Are Still BlueStay Loose30 AlbumsPush Barman to Open Old WoundsIf You’re Feeling SinisterDear Catastrophe WaitressTigermilkThe Life Pursuit
― kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 00:26 (five years ago) link
I’ve been thinking about why Lord Anthony stands out for me
I wasn’t bullied too much in high school, although I can remember being imprinted with the shame and fear of it. I also remember looking on and not stepping in as other kids were savagely harassed, and it’s been in the back of my mind since
it’s amazing to me that their music can so easily convey childhood feelings like this song does
― Dan S, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 00:57 (five years ago) link
Great poll! I didn't have time to listen to everything to prepare for voting but my main takeaway is I need to listen to FYHC, which I foolishly skipped. Also it's hard to believe that just three weeks ago I had never heard "The State I Am In". Instant classic from the first listen, I probably put it on a dozen times in that time. It's a little strange to rank it over songs I've loved for 15 years but it's just that good
1. Stay Loose2. The Fox in the Snow3. The State I Am In4. Seeing Other People5. She's Losing It6. If She Wants Me7. A Summer Wasting8. Seymour Stein9. Like Dylan in the Movies10. Step Into My Office, Baby11. Ease Your Feet Into the Sea 12. Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying13. The Boy With the Arab Strap14. If You're Feeling Sinister15. Piazza, New York Catcher16. Dear Catastrophe Waitress 17. It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career 18. Enter Sylvia Plath 19. The Stars of Track and Field20. If You Find Yourself Caught in Love21. I'm a Cuckoo22. Belle and Sebastian 23. The Blues are Still Blue24. Play for Today25. The Party Line26. Dress Up in You27. The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner28. Asleep on a Sun Beam29. To Be Myself Completely30. We Are the Sleepyheads
Top Albums1. If You're Feeling Sinister2. Dear Catastrophe Waitress3. Boy From the Arab Strap4. Tigermilk5. Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 01:07 (five years ago) link
also Belle & Sebastian wasn’t the first song of theirs I heard but it felt like it explained them somehow, as a central diorama of their world
― Dan S, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 01:57 (five years ago) link
1. The Boy With The Arab Strap2. A Summer Wasting3. This Is Just A Modern Rock Song4. Pocketbook Angel5. Ease Your Feet In The Sea6. String Bean Jean7. Slow Graffiti8. Big John Shaft9. Lazy Line Painter Jane10. Beautiful11. I'm A Cuckoo12. Simple Things13. The State That I Am In14. Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying15. If You Are Feeling Sinister16. Electronic Renaissance17. Like Dylan In The Movies18. Storytelling19. Sleep The Clock Around20. Funny Little Frog (God Help The Girl)21. She's Losing It22. Fox In The Snow23. I Don't Love Anyone24. The Model25. Expectations26. Seeing Other People27. Dirty Dream Number Two28. Belle & Sebastian29. Photo Jenny30. My Wandering Days Are Over
Albums1 The Boy With The Arab Strap2 Tigermilk3 If You're Feeling Sinister4 Push Barman To Open Old Wounds5 Storytelling
Eps1 This Is Just a Modern Rock Song2 Lazy Line Painter Jane3 Dog on Wheels4 3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light5 Jonathan David
Voted Belle & Sebastian track
I think if Pocketbook Angel wasn't a rough demo it would be looked on as fondly as Photo Jenny.. maybe not String Bean Jean. Those 3 are very similar in a way.
― ヽ(_ _ヽ)彡 ᴵ'ᵐ ᵒᵏᵃʸ_(・_.)/ (FlopsyDuck), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 02:25 (five years ago) link
I remember reading an interview with Stuart Murdoch where he said that every song was written by either Belle or by Sebastian, it was up to us to figure out which, that has always stuck with me
― Dan S, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 02:34 (five years ago) link
great poll, thanks for the winter wooskie shoutout! :)
― Jeff Bathos (symsymsym), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 02:53 (five years ago) link
I like the pop songs.The Life Pursuit is my favorite album."Funny Little Frog" was my #2."Mornington Crescent" is the worst song on TLP."Seeing Other People" was my #1 to a large extent because it sounds like Charlie Brown music.
I think what I'm trying to say is, I'm not a proper Belle & Sebastian fan.
01. Seeing Other People02. Funny Little Frog03. Dirty Dream Number Two04. Don't Leave the Light On Baby05. I'm a Cuckoo06. Act of the Apostle07. Lazy Line Painter Jane08. Another Sunny Day09. Write About Love10. Like Dylan in the Movies11. If She Wants Me12. This Is Just a Modern Rock Song13. Wrapped Up in Books14. The Blues Are Still Blue15. I Want the World to Stop16. If You're Feeling Sinister17. Step Into My Office, Baby18. You Don't Send Me19. Sweet Dew Lee20. The State I Am In (Tigermilk version)21. Legal Man22. The Stars of Track and Field23. Winter Wooksie24. I'm Waking Up to Us25. Nobody's Empire26. The Boy with the Arab Strap27. To Be Myself Completely28. Best Friend29. Expectations30. Song for Sunshine
― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 05:40 (five years ago) link
"Seeing Other People" was my #1 to a large extent because it sounds like Charlie Brown music.
Can't deny there's something to this
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 05:43 (five years ago) link
just want to say i enjoyed the warmth exhibited throughout this poll even if this band doesn't do much for me.
― macropuente (map), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 06:01 (five years ago) link
Great poll thanks, never seen any of these 'outtake'/alternate-cover images before.
― piscesx, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 06:05 (five years ago) link
I only possess a Vince Guaraldi record because a Charlie Brown vibe was also noted on, presumably, the Sinister list back in the day!
Anyone who voted for "Act of the Apostle" and "Song for Sunshine" (I missed the latter when listing the unpopular things on my ballot} may actually be the best kind of B&S fan.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 07:08 (five years ago) link
Great poll! Thanks for running it so wonderfully! :)
1. The State I Am In2. I'm A Cuckoo3. Your Cover's Blown4. It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career5. Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying6. Lazy Line Painter Jane7. If She Wants Me8. The Boy With The Arab Strap9. She's Losing It10. Don't Leave The Light On Baby11. The Blues Are Still Blue12. Stay Loose13. You're Just a Baby14. The Model15. Expectations16. Jonathan David17. Funny Little Frog (GHTG version)18. There's Too Much Love19. Dirty Dream Number Two20. We Rule The School21. The Chalet Lines22. To Be Myself Completely23. Women's Realm24. Slow Graffiti25. Judy and the Dream of Horses26. A Summer Wasting27. My Wandering Days Are Over28. Electronic Renaissance29. If You're Feeling Sinister30. Piazza New York Catcher
― Your dad's Carlos Boozer and you keep him alive (fionnland), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 08:30 (five years ago) link
This poll really arrived at an ideal time to re-think B&S, at that 20 year point where cultural artifacts take on a new context and rock artists sometime exit their awkward middle career flailing. The 90s records feel closer to Stereolab and even Ghost Box hauntalogy and further from c86 and twee now. Not that the later labels don't apply, but this listening exercise has changed my generalizations about the music.
― eva logorrhea (bendy), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 14:08 (five years ago) link
yeah stereolab as a comparison definitely occurred to me when i was going through their discog, though mostly for the self-consciously retro pop songs but with motorik beats thing
― ufo, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 14:34 (five years ago) link
I thought of Stereolab when I was trying to place the sound behind Sleep the Clock Around. They share a similar relationship with kitsch, too.
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 15:59 (five years ago) link
organ riff at the end of "lazy line painter jane" is extreeeeeeeemely stereolab imo (and also extremely vu ofc)
― jolene club remix (BradNelson), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 16:00 (five years ago) link
There's something to be said for them following a particular path out of the VU sound - much closer to the Nico/John Cale version than the Lou Reed one, obviously.
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 16:02 (five years ago) link
eh i think the third album is a major part of their sound
― jolene club remix (BradNelson), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 16:07 (five years ago) link
Buh, of course. Brainfart.
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Tuesday, 18 December 2018 16:10 (five years ago) link
just catching up with the results -- good stuff! one more ballot fwiw (informed by a cursory re-listening that turned often to awe and new appreciation, of course. i love this band's multitudes)
Like Dylan in the MoviesWomen's RealmThe Stars of Track and FieldSeeing Other PeopleAnother Sunny DayA Summer WastingMe and the MajorMayflyThe State I Am InWhite Collar BoyGet Me Away from Here, I'm DyingShe's Losing ItFunny Little FrogI Didn't See It ComingThe Fox in the SnowThe Rollercoaster RideFamily TreeLazy Line Painter JaneWrapped Up in BooksSleep the Clock AroundElectronic RenaissanceDog on WheelsYour Cover's BlownCome On SisterWe Are the SleepyheadsJudy is a Dick SlapStay LooseWaiting for the Moon to RiseYou Made Me Forget My DreamsThe Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner
― geoffreyess, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 22:46 (five years ago) link
I have no idea whether there's any discernable evidence in either case, but from the chatter on fan lists of each, I always imagined B&S must have prompted a spike in sales of Bryter Layter in a fashion not unlike Stereolab doing the same for Neu!
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Tuesday, 18 December 2018 23:15 (five years ago) link
This was an awesome poll. Cheers.
ALBUMS1. Dear Catastrophe Waitress2. If You’re Feeling Sinister3. Tigermilk4. Push Barman to Open Old Wounds5. The Boy with the Arab Strap
EPS1. Dog on Wheels2. Lazy Line Painter Jane3. Books4. 3... 6... 9... Seconds of Light5. Legal Man
TRACKS:1. Me and the Major2. Dog on Wheels3. If You’re Feeling Sinister4. Stay Loose5. You Don’t Send Me6. If You Find Yourself Caught in Love7. She’s Losing It8. Piazza, New York Catcher9. Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying10. Is It Wicked Not to Care?11. Sleep the Clock Around12. Like Dylan in the Movies13. I’m a Cuckoo14. It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career15. Electronic Renaissance16. You’re Just a Baby17. Seeing Other People18. Expectations19. Judy and the Dream of Horses20. Legal Man21. The Boy with the Arab Strap22. Step Into My Office, Baby23. Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie24. Your Cover’s Blown25. I Love My Car26. I Believe in Traveling Light27. Stars of Track and Field28. Act of the Apostle29. The Party Line30. Asleep on a Sunbeam
― Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 19 December 2018 00:16 (five years ago) link
This poll made me realize a lot of people listen to B&S for reasons different to mine.
I had never really paid Lazy Line Painter Jane. I think it's appalling. Possibly the worst song by this band I've heard? Here's my points score:
40 - Stay Loose36 - Expectations33 - Dylan in the Movies30 - I fought in a war28 - I’m a cuckoo26 - Dog on wheels25 - Another sunny day24 - Funny little frog 23 - Allie22 - We were beautiful21 - White collar boy20 - Sunday’s pretty icons19 - I want the world to stop18 - Your cover’s blown17 - The party line16 - The everlasting muse15 - The stars of track and field14 - Wrapped up in books13 - A summer wasting12 - The fox in the snow11 - Dirty Dream 210 - Play for today9 - The blues are still blue
― paulhw, Wednesday, 19 December 2018 02:08 (five years ago) link
I've never really liked it either
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 19 December 2018 03:32 (five years ago) link
I keep coming back to that "The Blues are Still Blue" Lip Dub thingy. Gloriously goofy, and I like the song about 89% more after several viewings. Thanks bendy.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Wednesday, 19 December 2018 07:35 (five years ago) link
Mine:
1 Ease Your Feet in the Sea2 Belle & Sebastian3 Seeing Other People4 The Fox in the Snow5 Slow Graffiti6 String Bean Jean7 Don't Leave the Light on Baby8 Winter Wooskie9 The Stars of Track and Field10 A Century of Fakers11 You Made Me Forget My Dreams12 Dog on Wheels13 Legal Man14 The Model15 Me and the Major16 Stay Loose17 I Know Where the Summer Goes18 Lazy Line Painter Jane19 The State I Am In20 Step Into My Office, Baby21 Beautiful22 Simple Things23 It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career24 I Fought in a War25 Photo Jenny26 Sleep the Clock Around27 Chickfactor28 The Rollercoaster Ride29 Women's Realm30 Nice Day for a Sulk
― the salacious inaudible (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Wednesday, 19 December 2018 07:57 (five years ago) link
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 8:35 AM (four hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Otm! Gave me a whole new appreciation for the song. What a joyful bunch.
― lbi's life of limitless european glamour (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 19 December 2018 12:35 (five years ago) link
A schoolyard of teens united in song, singing and dancing clumsily around Seville orange trees could well be a dream image from 90s B&S.
― eva logorrhea (bendy), Wednesday, 19 December 2018 12:39 (five years ago) link
it's so cool.
― frame casual (dog latin), Wednesday, 19 December 2018 15:24 (five years ago) link
I should have put Play for Today *much* higher. What a track.
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Friday, 18 January 2019 13:54 (five years ago) link
Indeed.
I had but one Peacetime track on my hastily-assembled ballot. I'm wiser now and have even, finally, procured a physical copy. (Write About Love too, fercrissakes!) I also had a nice image prepared for "Play for Today", so I was doubly sad to see it slip down the rankings in late voting.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 05:51 (five years ago) link
Put it here, You're allowed!
― Mark G, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 11:29 (five years ago) link
This poll was responsible for B&S cementing themselves in my favourite top 5 or so bands. Before they were a band I liked generally, loving a few songs and a couple albums. Now their entire catalogue just makes me very, very happy.
Thanks, Nag!
― Your dad's Carlos Boozer and you keep him alive (fionnland), Monday, 28 January 2019 13:44 (five years ago) link
Definitely the rare and weird category of favorite band I unabashedly adore and want to listen to all the time, except for when I don't and find them too precious and need to set them aside for several months or even years.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 28 January 2019 15:12 (five years ago) link
Ha ha, yes. Same.
― Alba, Monday, 28 January 2019 15:40 (five years ago) link
Thirded.
― a large tuna called “Justice” (C. Grisso/McCain), Monday, 28 January 2019 15:56 (five years ago) link
Fourthed. (I'd practically given up on them before this poll.)
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Monday, 28 January 2019 16:04 (five years ago) link
Yes! I feel this way about the Pixies too.
― eva logorrhea (bendy), Tuesday, 29 January 2019 17:34 (five years ago) link
I've only just worked out that the backing vocals at the end of Play for Today are 'author, author'. I've been singing 'up your jumper'.
And it bears repeating: what a fucking great song.
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Sunday, 10 February 2019 19:41 (five years ago) link
I though it was something like "up the mountain"
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Sunday, 10 February 2019 19:45 (five years ago) link
I totally think it is 'up the mountain' but other days I hear 'author author' - both have resonance. Anyway, what a song and would probably be my number one if I were to vote today.
Let's fill the glass and light to share the sunThe backstage of your life.
― Good cop, Babcock (Chinaski), Saturday, 13 April 2019 21:56 (four years ago) link
The lyrics on the sleeve are "author author" but my ears refuse to hear it as anything but "up the mountain".
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 13 April 2019 23:53 (four years ago) link
The backstage of your life.
― Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Friday, 10 April 2020 23:28 (three years ago) link