This lovely album contains mostly instrumental music written for inclusion in a movie soundtrack. It is excellent for what it is and showcases the band's versatility and musicianship. My favorite of the tracks with vocals is the very Simon and Garfunkel-esque "Black and White Unite," sung mostly by Stevie Jackson, with Stuart Murdoch adding nice harmonies. I recommend this CD, with some exceptions as noted below.

Don't buy it if:

Also, don't this if you are one of those cranky people who thinks Stuart Murdoch should write and sing all of the songs. There's lots of Sarah and Stevie here and you're not going to like this one little bit. No siree.

Alright, I know, I'm a hardcore B&S fan, but the idea of this band so known and loved for it's lyrics doing a SOUNDTRACK? I was scared. Very scared.

All that fear, though, was unfounded. This may be a new direction for B&S (as well it is going to be, as Isobel Campbell, their cellist and premier back-up vocalist, as well as occasional lead, is leaving the band) but it is a yummy one. Composed of a mix of instrumentals, dialogue tracks, and lyrical songs, "Storytelling" is quite addictive in it's own adorably off-kilter way.

The instrumentals are mainly composed of plinky piano over a wash of violin, piano, and harmonica, with the main style being a cross between flamenco and lounge. It's so much better than I can describe it. Seriously. When the trumpet kicked in on "Consuelo" I knew I was completely won over. The best thing about these tracks is that 1)they're all so different, it's nice to see the band stretch a little and let other members really show their stuff and 2) they're short and concise... which makes them all the more beautiful. My only qualm is that sometimes these songs sound SO American... an odd thing for this very Scottish, twee band.

The actual songs, as well, are lovely, most beautifully exemplified by the Simon & Garfunkelesque "Black and White Unite". From Latin (Wandering Alone), to a parody of Stuart Murdoch's wimpy image (I don't want to play Football), to a cut at filmmaker Solondz himself (Storytelling - probably the most fully realized song on the album) these are the sounds that B&S followers have come to love. And for all those kids who think Stuart and Co. are all about slow, sad songs, there's always "Scooby Driver" - guaranteed to have you pogoing in your bedroom.

All in all "Storytelling" is a beautiful album (their first full length one in 2 years!) and well worth the wait.

Cheers!

both a great (and massively under-rated) film and a near perfect (and overlooked) b&s record. the record really shows off b&s's abilities at creating beautiful pop orchestral compositions, and the lyrical talents shine at their peak right here (especially with the self-reflective, shall i say brechtian, "storytelling" and "big john shaft"). the album's one downfall is that it parasitically exists with the film, and may not be nearly as enjoyable without knowing the "story" which is to be told.

Normally, it is a pretty safe bet what you are getting when you buy a B & S album. Expect soft vocals spewing forth emotional and amusing little stories about fictional characters. Somehow, this is then melded on to an array of beautifully intricate pop melodies. Whilst the belles have used their seven EP's to experiment, their previous long-playing efforts have pretty much stuck with the aforementioned tried and tested formula.

But...No!, 'Storytelling' is something very different indeed. You see, the Scottish collective's latest release is a film soundtrack album. Which means snatches of dialogue and, (gasp!) instrumentals. This is what makes 'Storytelling' a fascinating record. 'B & S without the lyrics? What's the point?' you may well ask. Somehow though, everybody's favourite twee Glasweigan octet just about pull it off.

Opening instrumental 'Fiction' is absolutely gorgeous. Piano tinkering gives way to quietly dominating strings that leave you feeling strangely emotional without knowing exactly why. The lazy harmonica-driven splutter of 'F*** This S***' is easily Stevie Jackson's best contribution to the band and the latin-esque 'Consuelo' wouldn't be out of place in a Martin Scorsese film, sounding dirty and mysterious.

These instrumentals are made coherent for the literary snobs (i.e. people like me) by short snatches of conversation. The dialogue features a central character who is discussing what it takes to make a film and tell a 'story'. The overall effect is one of a modern concept album, a rock opera (sort of). So what of the six 'proper' songs on the album then?. Well, they're not too good I'm afraid. 'Black and white Unite' is awful summery sludge about 'hikers hiking' and 'cyclers cycling'; not recommended. The potentially brilliant 'Wandering Alone is ruined by Stevie's vocals (lets face it mate, you were the comedy deep voice on 'Seymour Stein' but please, please don't ever try to sing properly again!). Violinist Sarah Martin contributes the title track, a not-too bad attempt at making the customary B & S catchy, twee pop song. And that's about it...

Stuart 'don't call me the new Morrissey' Murdoch is absolutely nowhere on this record. 'Big John Shaft' is a half-decent song; simple guitar, obligatory horn section and all, but this star seems to be fading fast. The last line of the album, 'maybe my career will die' will hopefully not prove to be prophetic.

'Storytelling', then, is probably the most un-B & S like thing the band have ever done. It is certainly not for a newcomer to the group. The record though contains hope, showing a new side to the band, proving that they are still creative and still have the ability to occasionally mesmerise. Whether this will be the case on the next record, following the departure of cellist and founder member Isobel Campbell, is very doubtful. But, who knows?, maybe they'll pull it off again. Then they really will have a story to tell...

"storytelling" is simply a beautiful piece of music. in typical belle & sebastian style, the group throws away the chains of cliche sentimentality and pulls directly at your heart with their beautiful music.

the album is more cohesive than previous projects, obviously coming from their desire to do the score to the movie of the same name. clips of the movie are interspersed throughout the album, working with the lyrics and the music lovely-like.

from the haunting simple instrumental sound of "fiction" or freak," to the simon and garfunklesque sound of "black and white unite," the album tugs at you--from hopelessness to faith, from sadness to irridescant joy...it's simply a beautiful listen.

and the harmonica solo in "f--- this s---" (as if you need the faux modesty of dashes) was fantastic. it ranks as my favourite track on the disc.

all of this having been said, if you are a new b&s fan, perhaps this isn't the best first purchase--get "the boy with the arab strap," "if you're feeling sinister," or "fold your hands child..." before getting this one. but when you do get it, you will love it. the boys and girls have done well with this.

-john j. o'sullivan

"jersey's where america's at! YEAH!"