I See A Wilderness For You And Me

Belle & Sebastian @ Prospect Park Bandshell 7/11/2013
Judy Is A Dick Slap / I’m A Cuckoo / Another Sunny Day / The Stars of Track and Field / I Want the World to Stop / To Be Myself Completely / Lord Anthony / Funny Little Frog / I Don’t Love Anyone / Piazza, New York Catcher / Your Cover’s Blown / I Didn’t See It Coming / Simple Things / The Boy with the Arab Strap / Legal Man / Judy and the Dream of Horses // Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying / Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie

If you have never seen Belle & Sebastian and only know them by their reputation for being quite soft and sad, you might be surprised to learn that their concerts are quite energetic and fun, and that Stuart Murdoch is an outgoing and natural entertainer. Also, there are more up-tempo Belle & Sebastian songs than fey ballads. This was a delightful show – a nice survey of their body of work, and a very enthusiastic audience, even when the stage wasn’t flooded with girls from the audience on “The Boy with the Arab Strap” and “Legal Man.”

Belle & Sebastian “I’m A Cuckoo”

I was thinking when they played “I’m A Cuckoo” about how I can’t think of many other songs about breaking up with someone but trying to remain friends with them, and having to struggle with trying to keep a distance with the change in your relationship, and desperately needing them for emotional support when you’re depressed because you’ve spent so much time with only just them to provide that for you. And then, like, being mindful of boundaries and feeling guilty for crossing them? And trying to be happy, though you feel lonely and adrift? This must happen to people a lot, right? You would think it would be the subject of more songs. (Well, outside of Dear Catastrophe Waitress.)

Buy it from Amazon.