Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister

RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK:

Belle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister

This week’s Recommendation of the Week is an album that holds a very special place in my heart.  If You’re Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian turns 30 years old in November.  It was their 1996 release, and one that has very special ties to my relationship with my wife.  Also, it is a stunning, amazing album… a genre defining masterpiece, is a quintessential Indie music icon and one of the best albums of the last 30 years.

I was introduced to this album in the late 90’s, along with Magnetic Fields and Elliot Smith.  They all came about, for me, around the same time.  Much of the late 90’s music didn’t resonate with me at the time, as my late teen years didn’t seem to fit into its mold.  There were seminal moments though, and discovering Belle and Sebastian was life changing.  Once I heard “If You’re Feeling Sinister”, I was hooked and it was in my listening almost daily.

In 2003, my wife and I started dating and began our beautiful, forever journey together.  This album was one of the first of my musical tastes that I shared with her, and “If You’re Feeling Sinister” became intertwined with our love...an essential part of our soundtrack.  Every time I hear “Fox In The Snow”, “Me and The Major”, “Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying”, and “Judy and The Dream Of Horses” I just smile, and I am reminded our just how important they are.

Belle and Sebastian is forever rooted in our souls.

In the years since, we have seen Belle and Sebastian perform life twice, and will be seeing them next month.  Their shows are beautiful, powerful experiences! They are a must see!

The album is a defining moment in Indie music… mellow, beautiful thoughtful songs, great lyrics, which have a hint of melancholy, hint of snark, all wrapped in just a soft, hazy, a little but not too sunny blanket of melodic warmth and bliss.

It’s a perfect album to flow in and out of your day…it’ll keep you moving, but also let you drift off in a thoughtful haze.
It’s just a perfect album.

Essential Track:  “Judy And The Dream Of Horses”