Write About Love (Bonus Track Version)

iTunes Review

Stuart Murdoch’s recent decision to make Belle & Sebastian a democracy has changed the band in positive ways. Sarah Martin’s “I Didn’t See It Coming” is exactly the kind of fresh blood the band needs to succeed as their album count grows. The song takes a slower pace and staggers the standard B&S shuffle. Martin’s vocals still add a weightless, breathy beauty, but the brilliant ensemble playing is lusher than ever before. Murdoch adds the stately and witty ballad “Calculating Bimbo,” where every drum roll seems to mock the pomp and circumstances of this twisted love song. Norah Jones duets for “Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John.” “I Want the World to Stop” catches a tougher, quick tempo groove for its odd celebration. Stevie Jackson adds a sprite “I’m Not Living In the Real World.” But Murdoch fills things out with the gorgeously orchestrated “The Ghost of Rockschool” and the sparsely arranged “Read The Blessed Pages,” where Murdoch re-finds his commitment to his band in song.