This impressive debut reveals Belle and Sebastian's melodic gear changes and lyrical craft were there from the start.
In trademark style I Could Be Dreaming marries sunshine pop licks with a knowing lyric - "A family's like a loaded gun". She's Losing It is another bouncy effort opening casually with "Lisa knows a girl who's been abused/It changed her philosophy in '82.".
My Wandering Days Are Over is a delightful, coded song about Stuart Murdoch's transformation from solo busker to accomplished bandleader.
But the highlight is I Don't Love Anyone, a fantastic distillation of teenage angst; part melodrama, part deadly serious. It could end in suicide or turn into great pop music - every thirteen-year-old should be given a guitar.
Chris Morpeth
1. The State I Am In (4:57)
2. Expectations (3:34)
3. She's Losing It (2:22)
4. You're Just A Baby (3:41)
5. Electronic Renaissance (4:50)
6. I Could Be Dreaming (5:56)
7. We Rule The School (3:27)
8. My Wandering Days Are Over (5.25)
9. I Don't Love Anyone (3:56)
10. Mary Jo (3:29)
