Customer Reviews

Legal Man

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Legal Man is not the standard Belle and Sebastian record everyone expects. The title song is very strange and though I can't think of a comparison, I always think of Tjinder Singh's side project Clinton (although it really isn't the same.) "Judy is a Dickslap" is a very cool instrumental which catches all of the band members at their musical best. Finally, "Winter Wooksie," which is my favorite on the single, sounds very much like early Burt Bacharach meets Donovan, with a strange guitar part. All in all, a fine record.

Belle & Sebastian will probably prove to be one of the most difficult bands to exist in the coming years. Their albums have been wonderful in a very classic sense and have contained some of the most brilliant lyrics since Dylan's 60's days. Take Legal Man's love letter from a lawyer! Hilarious and spot-on!

This single is amazing for the simple fact that they refuse to give the people what they expect. Who the hell are the maisonettes? They can't sing a lick, in the best way possible. Where's Stuart's sad and sexy vocals? Where's that easy to follow melody and easy to be hip guitar part ripped from Johnny Marr? Nowhere to be found because Belle & Sebastian have got better things to do than please their critics. And I praise them for it.

Legal Man is coming back.

If nothing else, this nutty piece of RetroCheese proves what I've suspected for quite some time now: Belle and Sebastian is the most fearless band on earth. Who else would have the courage to release something so entirely out of character at this crucial stage of their career? And then actually be able to pull it off by having the darned thing rock so hard? I can't think of anyone....

i love belle and sebastian...and this little quirky EP is fantastic. it's not your typical b&s faire; legalman is a 60s-inspired britpop tour de force complete with flighty female accompaniment. the oddly-named "judy is a dickslap" is an instrumental romp, with a pretty piano interlude at the end. (yes, there is a pretty part to "judy is a dickslap.") winter wooskie is probably the most "normal" b&s song, with the comfortable rolling piano syncopated beat.

if you're new to b&s, don't get this album: get "the boy with the arab strap," "tigermilk," or "fold your hands...." however, if you have a few of their albums, you must own this EP. get 3,942 of them now.

Don't freak out! While quite a departure, it's still as well done and enjoyable as you'd expect from Belle and Sebastian-even without much of Stuart Murdoch's vocals. B&S haven't done something this rock and roll since Tigermilk, and it's a welcome change of pace. "Judy" is giddy and synthed up, and "Winter Wooskie" is classic pretty B&S.

Legal man is a classy northern soul number. If you are a DJ this will fit into a soul or funk set very well! If you are a B&S head this a welcome break from the tedium of Stuart's melancholic vocals. A real soul saver! The flip "Judy is a Dick Slap" is another fun instrumental soul stomper filled with gurgling moogs and a ripping bass line. A real keeper... you won't be disappointed!

And here I was thinking they would follow-up the seven minute "This is Just a Modern Rock Song" with something similar . . . But no, instead we get this bizarre little single out of the blue that has very little to do with what they've done before.

Of course, it's still B&S . . . but a wierder B&S.

Half-60s cheeze pop, half Split Enz instrumental keyboard freak-out. Very odd.

Listening to "Legal Man," you wouldn't believe it was recorded only a year ago... very 60s. "L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back. Get out of the office and into the springtime, get out of the city and into the springtime." Probably the song of 2000.

I have always found a dark and wicked sense of humor in some Belle and Sebastian songs - Legal Man brings out that sense of humor in musical form. According to other interviews with the band, the track was written as a "jam" and it has that feel - light, insubstantial, but very musical and very swinging. If you're looking for the tight, insightful songwriting , you may be a little disappointed. But if you're willing to have a little fun, you'll find this ep in your CD player quite often.

That last track is a more along the lines of B&S's other songs, though not one of their strongest.

Yes, this is silly and artifcial but it's also the most enjoyable song that they've put out since "Get Me Away From Here..." No, you wouldn't want an album of revved-up janglers like this but consider it a balance; this helps to leaven the overly-dreary album that is "Fold Your Hands Child...". "Winter Wooskie" is also a clever Kink-y track that brings a smile to my face. A welcome change of pace and a good introduction to one of today's best pop bands.