Well the new B and S CD is finally out! I heard it a while back through a leak and I really enjoyed it. To anyone else who's heard it, I was wondering your thoughts on the matter.

Brighteyes215,

Quick question: I have yet to hear any of B and S's music. Should I start off with their newest, in your opinion, or one of their 90's albums?

I'd go with one of their first three: Tigermilk, If You're Feeling Sinister or The Boy With the Arab Strap. Last year's compilation of a set of their earlier EPs, Push Barman to Open Old Wounds, is also a good place, but it might be a bit overwhelming with 25 songs.

quote:

Originally posted by musicfanatic:
Brighteyes215,

Quick question: I have yet to hear any of B and S's music. Should I start off with their newest, in your opinion, or one of their 90's albums?

Their compilation Push Barman To Open Old Wounds is VERY good and showcases all of their strengths. It's probably the best place to start even if there are a lot of songs.

I really enjoy The Life Pursuit, could be my favorite B&S album after a few more spins (at worst it would tie with Dear Catastrophe Waitress for the top spot). Songs off the new one I'm digging the most include "Suki in the Graveyard", "Another Sunny Day", "Funny Little Frog" and "White Collar Boy".

I'd pick If You're Feeling Sinister as a great place to start (and not just because it's where I started).

Thanks all! I just ordered If you're feeling sinister online. I've been hunting down new music for years now, so I don't know why its taking me this long to give them a listen.

In my opinion I would've started with Tigermilk. In my opinion it showcases B & S at their sensitive, empathetic best. But yes IYFS is an incredible album and Pushing Barmen is on par with both of those albums. The Life Pursuit is a great CD in my opinion but I don't remember being so impressed with the lyrics or Song for Sunshine for that matter. I have to give it another few listens I guess.

OK, I've listened to B&S's new album and I think it's a good but not great album- it seems a little inconsistent.

Songs I especially like are "Act of the Apostle"(both I and II), "Another Sunny Day", "Dress Up In You", and "Mornington Crescent."

But songs like "White Collar Boy" and "Blues are always Blue" (I think I may have mistitled this last song) don't do it for me. In fact, "Blues are always Blue" is just dreadful. Tigermilk remains my favorite album of theirs.

Is it just me or does this album sound almost exactly like ELO or Wings circa 1976 or so? Murdoch's voice sounds frighteningly close to Jeff Lynne's sometimes.

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Originally posted by odysseyandoracle:
Is it just me or does this album sound almost exactly like ELO or Wings circa 1976 or so? Murdoch's voice sounds frighteningly close to Jeff Lynne's sometimes.

that's an interesting comparison!

I still haven't heard this yet, but if he sounds like Jeff Lynne, he went through a hell of a transformation.

Hi all!

I've been casually interested in B&S since I picked up If You're Feeling Sinister about a year ago.

My first impression was that a third of the new album is really good, and that's the third that sounds most like their old stuff. The electric guitar riffs and backing harmonies that are prominent on the rest don't really gel well with the band's signature sound.

quote:

Originally posted by Biggles:
Hi all!

I've been casually interested in B&S since I picked up If You're Feeling Sinister about a year ago.

My first impression was that a third of the new album is really good, and that's the third that sounds most like their old stuff. The electric guitar riffs and backing harmonies that are prominent on the rest don't really gel well with the band's signature sound.

Truthfully I find their latest to be of the same spirit, if not the style, of Tigermilk, If You're Feeling Sinister, and (maybe) The Boy with the Arab Strap. Lyrically it portrays that earlier fascination with religion, sensitivity, and quirkiness. Also the new stylistic ventures into glam, funk, and soul come off really, really well. I don't know if you've heard Dear Catastrophe Waittress but The Life Pursuit is the album that that DCW should have been, blending that different pop sensibility with the lyrical greatness to match.

"Another Sunny Day" may be the catchiest pop tune I've heard in years. The whole album seems to get better with each listen. I'm really liking it right now.

I've been listening to Tigermilk a lot lately and that would probably be my favorite of what I've heard. I haven't heard their latest though, is it worth getting? I can't really tell from what you've all said.

I would definitely suggest it, Ginny. If you enjoy B&S, this will be a nice addition.

I've owned this since it came out, and I'm now confident to say the first 6-7 songs are pretty great, and then it drops of considerably. I've erased the second half of the album off of my itunes, thats how bad it is. I really love a few of the first few songs though.

Good, not great. I would buy it after every other B & S album, but I'd still buy it.

"another sunny day" is the best track of the album n they didnt release it as a single

I thought the album was fun but a little uneven. For every great little pop ditty, there'd be a misstep like "Song for Sunshine" or "Funny Little Frog" (I'm sorry, but rhyming "poet" with "throat" doesn't work. At all.)