100 Best Albums of the Nineties: Belle and Sebastian, 'If You're Feeling Sinister'

100 Best Albums of the Nineties

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Belle and Sebastian, 'If You're Feeling Sinister'

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This instrument-switching Scottish outfit represented the ultimate triumph of twee, that British subgenre that applies rock-style hipness and amateurish fervor to unrock interests such as coffeehouse folk, French 1960s pop and the works of Burt Bacharach. Casually led by real-life choirboy and Smiths admirer Stuart Murdoch, Belle and Sebastian attached cello, trumpet and strings to a skiffle beat and melodies devised after hours of lonely listening to vintage Top Forty radio. Not since Nick Drake had so quiet a band spoken so loudly.

• Rolling Stone's Original 1997 Review

• Photos: Belle and Sebastian Stay Loose