punchdrunk's Full Review: Dear Catastrophe Waitress by Belle & Sebastian
Fans of literate indie pop, rejoice! Scottish darlings Belle and Sebastian are back with their best album since 1998's autumnal and gorgeous "The Boy with the Arab Strap." This time around, the songwriting is more influenced by early '70s pop like Steely Dan and T. Rex, as opposed to the Nick Drake and Smiths records they once plundered. But don't be discouraged: they still write a catchy, heartfelt pop songs better than 95% of the bands out there today. "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" is the most fun album the band has ever made and is one of the best albums of 2003.
The album opens with the ultra-catchy "Step Into My Office, Baby." The song is built on an almost-glam melody and the charmingly naughty lyrics B&S fans have come to know and love. Example: "She gave me some dictation / But my strength is in administration / I took down all she said / I even took down her little red dress." Stuart Murdoch and Stevie trade off vocals on the verses and chorus and both are in smooth-voiced glory.
After the busy title track comes "If She Wants Me," Belle and Sebastian's ode to the smooth Philly soul of the 1970s. Once again, Murdoch's voice is in top form, as he slides easily from a staccato tenor to a lovely falsetto. The lyrics are very introspective, with more than a touch of self-deprecating wit. "If I could one near-perfect thing I'd be happy," he sings, "they'd write one my grave or when they scattered my ashes."
The track that stands out the most from the intricate and glossy production on the rest of the album is the plaintive acoustic ballad "Piazza, New York Catcher." Murdoch's lyrics are both tender and absurd, going from outright declarations of love to musings over a certain pro-baseball player's sexual preference. It is definitely one of the highlights of "Dear Catastrophe Waitress."
Other favorite songs include the Thin Lizzy homage "I'm a Cuckoo," the 'Godspell'-like "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love" and the burst of pure joy that is "Asleep on a Sunbeam."
But, in my opinion, the best song on the album is the sprawling masterpiece "Stay Loose." The melody is introduced with cheesy, '80s-style keyboards but becomes and infectious New Wave romp at the arrival of the first chorus. The drums sound mechanical and Stuart Murdoch's vocal echo like David Bowie. The whole is effect is dizzying and incredible and demands repeated pressings of the 'Repeat' button.
"Dear Catastrophe Waitress" may be Belle and Sebastian's glossiest record, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The endearingly lo-fi sound heard on "Dog on Wheels" and "Tigermilk" is gone forever, but a band has to evolve someday. Let's just hope they can keep it up and not sink into half-baked hack status. But, knowing these kids, I don't see that happening anytime soon.
TRACKS
1. Step Into My Office, Baby
2. Dear Catastrophe Waitress
3. If She Wants Me
4. Piazza, New York Catcher
5. Asleep on a Sunbeam
6. I'm a Cuckoo
7. You Don't Send Me
8. Wrapped Up in Books
9. Lord Anthony
10. If You Find Yourself Caught in Love
11. Roy Walker
12. Stay Loose
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