Belle & Sebastian
I’m A Cuckoo
(Rough Trade Records 16/02/04)

Why have Belle & Sebastian lasted so long and survived two poorly received albums over recent years? Well, my friends; ‘Cuckoo’ is the answer, encapsulating their shameless desire to have fun and produce snappy poetic lyrics on the back of melodious and tender instrumentals. Most importantly, Belle & Sebastian have been and always will be the antithesis of Oasis and the The Strokes. If Noel found Liam listening to tracks like ‘Cuckoo’, then he would extract what is left of his teeth omitting the aid of an anaesthetic.

Stuart Murdoch’s Cliff Richard meet a Pet Sounds era Brian Wilson with a hint of Ian McCulloch style vocals really give the song a tender feel. The single features mournful lyrics hidden behind the feel good instrumentals that have become a B & S trademark;

“I’m on my empty bed at night the fever grows, is pounding, pounding.
I’d rather be in Tokyo”.

Having completed a near sell-out UK tour, it is clear that the colourful Scottish outfit is, if anything, getting more popular and this latest offering will certainly not slow this trend down.

David Adair

www.belleandsebastian.co.uk