The Boy with the Arab Strap

Infobox Album | Name = The Boy with the Arab Strap
Type = Album
Artist = Belle & Sebastian


Released = September 7, 1998
Recorded = Ca Va Studios
Genre = Chamber pop
Length = 45:28
Label = Jeepster (UK) Matador (US)
Producer = Tony Doogan
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:pyq8b5b4msqg link]
*Rolling Stone Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belleandsebastian/albums/album/103457/review/5941160/the_boy_with_the_arab_strap link]
*Pitchfork Media (0.8/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15372/Belle_and_Sebastian_The_Boy_with_the_Arab_Strap link]
Last album = "If You're Feeling Sinister"
(1996)
This album = "The Boy with the Arab Strap"
(1998)
Next album = "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.cite book |last=Taylor |first=Steve |authorlink=Steve Taylor |title=The A to X of Alternative Music |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |date=2004 |pages=30-31 |isbn=0826482171] cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin Charles |authorlink=Martin Charles Strong |title=The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded By More Than 1200 Artists |publisher=Canongate U.S. |date=2004 |pages=122 |isbn=1841956155] The instrumental of the title track "The Boy with the Arab Strap" was later used as the theme tune for the television show "Teachers". Part of the song 'Seymour Stein' is briefly featured in the 2000 film "High Fidelity". 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. [cite web|url=http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/may_2001/arab_strap_interview.html |title=An interview with Arab Strap |accessdate=2006-07-03 |accessmonthday= |accessyear= |author=Alexander Laurence |last=Laurence |first=Alexander |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2001-05 |year=2001 |month=May |format=HTML |work= |publisher=Free Williamsburg |pages= |archiveurl= |archivedate=]

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

Track listing

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