{"product_id":"belle-sebastian-the-boy-with-the-arab-strap","title":"Belle \u0026 Sebastian - The Boy With the Arab Strap","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e25th anniversary clear blue vinyl\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom Allmusic guide:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBelle \u0026amp; Sebastian quietly built a dedicated following after the release of their second album, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/album\/if-youre-feeling-sinister-mw0000019993\" class=\"album-link\"\u003eIf You're Feeling Sinister\u003c\/a\u003e, as word of mouth spread from indie kids to record collectors to store clerks to critics. By the end of 1997, the Scottish septet had developed a following every bit as passionate as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/the-smiths-mn0000899530\" class=\"name-link\"\u003ethe Smiths\u003c\/a\u003e did at their peak, which is only appropriate since leader \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/stuart-murdoch-mn0000563734\" class=\"name-link\"\u003eStuart Murdoch\u003c\/a\u003e is as wittily literate as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/morrissey-mn0000597094\" class=\"name-link\"\u003eMorrissey\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/album\/if-youre-feeling-sinister-mw0000019993\" class=\"album-link\"\u003eIf You're Feeling Sinister\u003c\/a\u003e proved this as did the three excellent EPs that followed, increasing expectations for The Boy With the Arab Strap. Even if the album doesn't match the peerless \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/album\/if-youre-feeling-sinister-mw0000019993\" class=\"album-link\"\u003eIf You're Feeling Sinister\u003c\/a\u003e or break new ground for Belle \u0026amp; Sebastian, it's not a sophomore slump. From the Motown stomp of \"Dirty Dream Number Two\" to the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/paul-simon-mn0000031685\" class=\"name-link\"\u003ePaul Simon\u003c\/a\u003e shuffle of the title track, there is more musical texture on Boy than \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/album\/sinister-mw0000019993\" class=\"album-link\"\u003eSinister\u003c\/a\u003e, but much of this was already explored on the EPs, which means Arab Strap essentially consolidates the group's talents. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/murdoch-mn0000563734\" class=\"name-link\"\u003eMurdoch\u003c\/a\u003e recedes from the spotlight on occasion, letting \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/steve-jackson-mn0000618689\" class=\"name-link\"\u003eSteve Jackson\u003c\/a\u003e deliver two music-biz spiels and giving \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/isobel-campbell-mn0000107950\" class=\"name-link\"\u003eIsobel Campbell\u003c\/a\u003e space to shine with the lilting \"Is It Wicked Not to Care?\" All three songs are highlights, but \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.allmusic.com\/artist\/murdoch-mn0000563734\" class=\"name-link\"\u003eMurdoch\u003c\/a\u003e's songs still attract the most attention. His vicious wit, often overlooked in favor of his poetic narratives, surfaces on the title track, while \"It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career\" summarizes his effortless gift for elegant melancholia. Such small, precious gems are what Belle \u0026amp; Sebastian are all about, and The Boy With the Arab Strap offers another round of timeless, endlessly fascinating folk-pop treasures.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinyl Veritas","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48909510639851,"sku":"VVA0257","price":31.54,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/5692\/3115\/files\/4234311-3026388.jpg?v=1782227980","url":"https:\/\/www.vinylveritas.com\/products\/belle-sebastian-the-boy-with-the-arab-strap","provider":"Vinyl Veritas","version":"1.0","type":"link"}