Concluding a countdown of my favorite albums of 1996…
#1 – If You’re Feeling Sinister – Belle and Sebastian
Before I get to my best album of 1996, I want to mention Belle and Sebastian’s debut album, Tigermilk, which came out earlier the same year. That great release would easily have a spot in my top ten but I decided to leave room for other artists.
It’s remarkable that the Scottish septet recorded both that album and If You’re Feeling Sinister in the span of a few months. Talk about a burst of creative genius. I love those productive early years in a band’s history when classic songs just pour out.
If You’re Feeling Sinister is widely considered Belle and Sebastian’s masterpiece, and you’ll get no argument from me. Every song here is pitch perfect. The delicate chamber pop scoring Stuart Murdoch’s gentle vocals makes for an enchanting alchemy, one that hooked me in immediately when I discovered the band through this album.
This record is the definition of a no-skip masterwork, but if I had to choose favorite songs they’d include ‘Fox in the Snow,’ ‘Seeing Other People,’ ‘Like Dylan in the Movies,’ and ‘Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying.’ Every one is equally thought-provoking and beautiful.
That wraps up my favorite albums of 1996. Next week I’ll write about a handful of notable releases I missed.
Lovesick on a sunny afternoon
You are tired of staying in
You are waiting for a sign
Mayfly, woken up when skies are clear
I don’t mind you coming near
Keep me company till she comes again
[Chorus]
You are the one who’s making do
I am the one who’s privy to
‘Cause you saw him in the park
‘Cause you saw him at the bridges
With the people in the dark
[Verse 2]
Cana was the start of something big
You were there in the beginning
You were there to see him play
Mayfly, woken up when skies are blue
I don’t mind the sight of you
Keep me company till she comes again
[Chorus]
You are the one who’s making do
I am the one who’s privy to
Cause you saw him at the celebration
Standing at the side
You had the moves to save the day
And you would love him anyway
[Verse 3]
Lovesick, it came back upon yourself
You are the one left on the shelf
You are incapable of playing the fool
Longing, so what’s different today?
You sent the boy and girl away
You are concerned with matters lofty
[Chorus]
But puzzled so it makes you sick
Your diary’s looking like the Bible
With its verses lost in time
Lost in meaning for the people
Who surround you, it’s a crying shame
You know it’s a crying shame
You know it’s a crying shame
[Outro]
Mayfly, woken up when skies are blue
I don’t mind the sight of you
Keep me company till she comes again
Mayfly, woken up when skies are clear
I don’t mind you, come in here
Keep me company till she comes again, la, la, la, la
She comes again, la, la, la, la
She comes again, la, la, la, la, la
Meet Me In Montauk 