Belle and Sebastian Write About Love - your thoughts?

[Taverner]

I like it

They've matured as a band. I like to think of Isobel Campbell's leaving the band and starting her own career as a franchise opportunity. That's not a bad thing.

The title song is a poppy song with twee. That's not a bad thing.

Duet with Norah Jones on Little Lou... That's not a bad thing.

Come on - embrace your inner Bacharach-loving, harmony guzzling, twee shoe-gazing, melody saturating self!

[Frank Booth]

1. I think it's a good album for them, though the duet with Norah Jones

may be their worst song ever. I also don't really like the title track, which is a duet with the actress from An Education.

Some of the highlights are Read the Blessed Pages, Come on Sister, and The Ghost of Rockschool. I Didn't See it Coming is great live, if you get a chance to catch them this time around (though I guess since I noticed your post so late all their US shows are done).

My personal opinion is that "good" for Belle & Sebastian is many, many times better than just about anyone else out there right now.