The Boy with the Arab Strap

The Boy with the Arab Strap
Studio album by Belle & Sebastian
Released	September 7, 1998
Recorded	Ca Va Studios
Genre	Chamber pop
Length	45:28
Label	Jeepster (UK) Matador (US)
Producer	Tony Doogan
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Rolling Stone link Pitchfork (0.8/10) link
Belle & Sebastian chronology
If You're Feeling Sinister (1996) The Boy with the Arab Strap (1998) Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant (2000)

The Boy with the Arab Strap is the third album from the Scottish band Belle & Sebastian, and has been called their best album.^[1][2] The instrumental of the title track "The Boy with the Arab Strap" was later used as the theme tune for the television show Teachers. The title track was also played and the album referenced in the 2009 film (500) Days of Summer. Part of the song "Seymour Stein" is briefly featured in the 2000 film High Fidelity. The track was also in the movie Definitely, Maybe (2008) starring Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher. The inspiration for the album's name came from the band Arab Strap, who are also from Scotland and briefly toured with Belle & Sebastian. An Arab strap is a sexual device for retaining an erection.

Arab Strap were reportedly less than pleased with their inclusion in the title of the album. When questioned about it, Arab Strap's leader/singer, Aiden, said "They have a sense of humor." Malcolm, the band's instrumentalist, added, "Because Arab Strap is quite an interesting name. The words go well together. That's why we chose it as a band name. We're friends with them, but there's a limit to putting someone else's name on an album. They’re taking away something from us." He also mentioned that the album had been confused as a collaboration between the bands. ^[3]

The album features several lead vocals by members of the band other than Stuart Murdoch. Stevie Jackson sings lead on both "Seymour Stein" and "Chickfactor", Stuart David gives a spoken word performance on "A Space Boy Dream" and Isobel Campbell sings lead on "Is It Wicked Not to Care?".

Despite accolade, online music criticism outlet Pitchfork Media described the album in a controversial review as "breaking new grounds of terrible" for its "mediocrity." It received a 0.8/10.

Track listing

1. "It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career" – 2:23
2. "Sleep the Clock Around" – 4:57
3. "Is It Wicked Not to Care?" – 3:22
4. "Ease Your Feet in the Sea" – 3:35
5. "A Summer Wasting" – 2:06
6. "Seymour Stein" – 4:42
7. "A Space Boy Dream" – 3:01
8. "Dirty Dream Number Two" – 4:14
9. "The Boy with the Arab Strap" – 5:14
10. "Chickfactor" – 3:31
11. "Simple Things" – 1:46
12. "The Rollercoaster Ride" – 6:36

Personnel

• Stuart Murdoch - Vocals, Guitar
• Stuart David - Bass
• Isobel Campbell - Cello, Vocals
• Chris Geddes - Keyboards, piano
• Richard Colburn - Drums
• Stevie Jackson - Guitar, Vocals
• Sarah Martin - Violins
• Mick Cooke - Trumpet

References

1. ^ Taylor, Steve (2004). The A to X of Alternative Music. Continuum International Publishing Group. pp. 30–31. ISBN 0826482171. 
2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (2004). The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded By More Than 1200 Artists. Canongate U.S.. p. 122. ISBN 1841956155. 
3. ^ Laurence, Alexander (2001-05). "An interview with Arab Strap" (HTML). Free Williamsburg. http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/may_2001/arab_strap_interview.html. Retrieved 2006-07-03.