In defence of B&S .....
> I have not sampled "Tigermilk," and I understand bands tend
> to have their best stuff on the first album, so perhaps
> that is the gem I'm missing out on?
"Tigermilk" is my favourite album of all time, overtaking "The Queen Is Dead" some years ago, much to my dismay. I think it's a great pop album full of great hooks, fantastic lyrics and a certain naive charm. Plus the pure joy of making music. I'd urge you to have a good listen to it, preferably on a bus ride. "Tigermilk" sounds *fantastic* on a Bus. I used to listen to it going to and from University every day back in my last year in '99. No matter how wet, cold and shitty the day, I'd always ben cheered up by the time I got into the city.
I should point out that I don't think the random sampling of one song is really enough to "get" B*S. I had "If You're Feeling Sinister" for quite a long time before it worked its charm on me. It's kinda subtle music, and gets better and richer with each listen. As I've gotten older I've found the stuff which immediately strikes me as good doesn't always last the distance, but stuff it took me a while to get into still sounds great and fresh now.
> The music is kinda pleasant, but his voice and lyrics bug me if I listen
> to more than one song in a row. In fact, I feel like puking all over
> him.
I think Stuart Murdoch writes amazing "story songs" in a similar way to Lou Reed. I see a lot of similarities between Stuart's writing and Lou's "said songs" (Lisa Says, Caroline Says, Candy Says) in that his lyrics usually tell a tale.
> I don't know, I look in a record store and I see tons of CDs bulging out
> of
> B&S's section. And I bet they all sound the same!
Sure. In a way. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Seriously, though, I think they have changed. Not in a Radiohead-reinvention sort of way, though. "Tigermilk" is their indie-rock album. Guitars turned up, one quite dancy electronic song. "If You're Feeling Sinister" is more of a pastoral folk thing. Reminds me of Nick Drake. "The Boy with The Arab Strap" is more varied, and is (in my opinion) quite indebted to 80's post-punk pop. The guitar has quite a Spanish, flamenco feel, and the album reminds me of "High Land Hard Rain"-era Aztec Camera. And "Fold Your Hands Child ..." is their White Soul album. Take away the vocals and some of the songs could pass as backing tracks to 60s Motwon singles.
> But why has B&S become a (the?) band of choice among Morrissey fans?
> I don't see much connection. I would think B&S's fanbase would be
> made up of aging baby boomers.
I think that it's because B&S *care* in the same way The Smiths did. They pay a lot of attention to the way they present themselves, their image, their sleeves etc. B&S are probably the only band who include proper sleevenotes in their albums. All the small print in their record sleeves i worth reading. (Spot the trainspotter )
Another thing I really like about B&S is that they only release non-LP singles. None of this album track, remix and two live songs spread over 2 CDs or anything. Everything they've released is (in my opinion) essential. A compilation of their first EPs stand up next to the best albums of a lot of other bands.
Well, my opinion anyway ..... hope this helps ....
STH