God Help the Girl

iTunes Review

Stuart Murdoch heard female voices in his head as he began writing songs about a young girl’s mental breakdown in this modern world for a film planned to follow. He sent out a casting call and settled on a variety of voices ranging from Seattle teen indie band Smoosh singer Asya and Catherine Ireton, to contest winners Brittany Stallings and Dina Bankole, as well as Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon and Murdoch himself. This revolving cast of characters is cemented with the supple, recognizable energy of Murdoch’s band Belle & Sebastian, who chime in with their weightless sway, delivering mirth that cuts through the underlying despair. Two Belle & Sebastian tunes are re-covered: “Act of the Apostle” and “Funny Little Frog.” Two instrumentals sneak past: “A Unified Theory,” “Music Room Window.” Ireton adds a saucy cheek to the title track that reflects the ‘60s Parisian pop aesthetic Murdoch has often chased. “Pretty Eve In the Tub” uses strings for a whimsical chamber pop while an entire team of vocalists nail down the closer, “A Down and Dusky Blonde.”