With a rising profile boosted by three singles all charting successively higher during 1997, Belle and Sebastian's third album definitely deserves the oft-overused phrase 'much anticipated'.
And true to the form of their previous two full-length efforts, it begins with a low-key track designed to usher the listener gently into the world of Stuart Murdoch and co.
In this case the song, 'It Could Have Been A Brilliant Career', is a tale of lives stunted by illness, desire and ambition. Murdoch peeks behind the curtains of the ordinary folk and recounts their lives.
The titles say it all - 'Sleep The Clock Around', 'Summer Wasting', 'Simple Things' - these are subjects people can relate to. Yet Murdoch never pontificates - the facts are just laid out.
'Is It Wicked Not To Care' marks Isobel Campbell's recorded debut as vocalist, while 'A Space Boy Dream' gives Stuart David the chance to show his wares, with an affecting spoken-word narrative from the eponymous character.
It is this opening-up of the songwriting process which marks this album as the band's best effort to date. Instead of what could have become a monochrome portrait, the other members' songs add colour to the overall picture.
The title track is a glorious encapsulation of everything that makes Belle and Sebastian great. Over a bouncing piano and bass, Murdoch spins a yarn about a down-and-out wannabe lothario on the prowl in the city - "We all know you're soft 'cos we've all seen you dancing/We all know you're hard 'cos we've all seen you drinking/From noon until noon again".
"You're constantly updating your hit parade of your ten biggest w**ks" he almost whispers as the track fades out. A shocking aside, like discovering a cache of illicit photographs. Sometimes, it seems, even Stuart can't refrain from making it personal. And we're all the better for it.
This album sees Belle and Sebastian striding forward - expanding their vision and hopefully subsequently expanding their fanbase. Did someone mention Morrissey? Not any more.
