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Track Listings
| 1. The State I Am In |
| 2. Expectations |
| 3. She's Losing It |
| 4. You're Just A Baby |
| 5. Electronic Renaissance |
| 6. I Could Be Dreaming |
| 7. We Rule The School |
| 8. My Wandering Days Are Over |
| 9. I Don't Love Anyone |
| 10. Mary Joe |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Tigermilk is simply gorgeous, an unaffected debut equal to the Smiths' finest work, and seemed to arrive fully formed out of nowhere in May 1996. In songs like the pastoral, shimmering "The State I Am In" and the wonderfully naive "We Rule the School," bandleader Stuart Murdoch had already laid the seeds that would later come to such full, poignant fruition on If You're Feeling Sinister and The Boy with the Arab Strap. The 10 songs here have such a natural pop sensibility, such a grace and resonance, it's hard now to believe that Tigermilk was only originally intended as a small-time project between seven Glaswegian friends (the original vinyl release was limited to 1,000 copies). Whimsical, surreal, and beautiful, this reissue is well worth the wait. --Everett True
Product Description
Debut 1996 album from the Scottish popsters, initially a vinyl-only limited release! Includes "The State I Am In".
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The story of B&S is the story of a band without the intention of selling music, who still became one of the most influential indie-bands. Deriving their name from a French childrens book named "Belle et Sebastién", Belle and Sebastian is by all measures a band quite outside the ordinary.
"Tigermilk", their debut album, was originally released on Electric Honey Records - a small label run as a part-time project by students of the Glasgow School of Art. Originally the label only had capacity to release one EP a year, but when Stuart Murdoch turned up with ten songs and eight band members, they decided to make this one a full-length LP. As the belles had to cover most of the costs themselves, the original vinyl LP was only printed in 1,000 copies, and even so the band still had problems finding buyers for them all.
Today Belle and Sebastian have fans more or less everywhere - the band even has a nightclub in Korea named to their honour. And when listening to "Tigermilk" one instantly understands why the band achieved such fame, more or less against their own will.
Although "Tigermilk" was the bands debut - recorded with both limited time and resources at their disposal - it still shows the belles at their absolute best. Though musically it lacks some of the range of the three-ep box-set "Lazy Lane Painter Jane", its consistency and timelessness made it a classic all from the start. One needs only to listen through the opening track of the album, "The State That I am In", to see what makes the belles stand out from everyone else. Sarcastic lyrics about human failure and tragedy is mixed with upbeat pop-melodies form the basis of most of B&S' music, creating their signature soundscape. Although seemingly stealing some of its sound from classic pop, "Tigermilk" still stands out as fresh and new - different from everything done both before and after it. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, "Tigermilk" still does not distance itself from its audience, but invites the listener into a completely new - yet recognizable - musical universe.
"Tigermilk" fuses the sound of The Smiths at the height of their creative power with the ideals of the indie/lofi-movement of the 90s, creating - in all its simplicity - pop-music both more advanced and yet simpler and more truthful than anything done before it. The first listening might give the impression of a feelgood easy-listening album, but underneath it all lies a nerve equal to the works of Jeff Buckley and his like.
Though creating a universe of its own, distanced by a clear sarcastic tone, "Tigermilk" leaves the listener with the impression that this is something highly personal. The odd combination of lyrics and music leaves the listener unsure as to wether he should laugh or bawl.
Running the risk of ending up entangled in clichés, I daresay that "Tigermilk" stands out as an accurate description of modern life and culture; that the belles in their firm intention of creating an album completely unsuited of intellectual analysis (or commercial success for that matter), managed to create the album that described their own generation.
Sadly, at current point "Tigermilk" seems only a distant memory of the artistic capabilities of the belles, as "Belle" herself, in real life named Isobel Campbell, left the band in 2002 to focus on her solo career, and the band after their transfer to Rough Trade has started tuning their guitars and hiring professional musicians and producers - a move that has removed most of their original charm and created just another radio-friendly Scottish pop-band.
PS. Isobel Campbell is currently releasing on Snowstorm under her own name and has previously released on Jeepster as The Gentle Waves, both french-pop inspired projects and next door neighbours to B&S. Her Gentle Waves album "Swansong for You" is definetily worth both your time and money.
"Tigermilk", their debut album, was originally released on Electric Honey Records - a small label run as a part-time project by students of the Glasgow School of Art. Originally the label only had capacity to release one EP a year, but when Stuart Murdoch turned up with ten songs and eight band members, they decided to make this one a full-length LP. As the belles had to cover most of the costs themselves, the original vinyl LP was only printed in 1,000 copies, and even so the band still had problems finding buyers for them all.
Today Belle and Sebastian have fans more or less everywhere - the band even has a nightclub in Korea named to their honour. And when listening to "Tigermilk" one instantly understands why the band achieved such fame, more or less against their own will.
Although "Tigermilk" was the bands debut - recorded with both limited time and resources at their disposal - it still shows the belles at their absolute best. Though musically it lacks some of the range of the three-ep box-set "Lazy Lane Painter Jane", its consistency and timelessness made it a classic all from the start. One needs only to listen through the opening track of the album, "The State That I am In", to see what makes the belles stand out from everyone else. Sarcastic lyrics about human failure and tragedy is mixed with upbeat pop-melodies form the basis of most of B&S' music, creating their signature soundscape. Although seemingly stealing some of its sound from classic pop, "Tigermilk" still stands out as fresh and new - different from everything done both before and after it. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, "Tigermilk" still does not distance itself from its audience, but invites the listener into a completely new - yet recognizable - musical universe.
"Tigermilk" fuses the sound of The Smiths at the height of their creative power with the ideals of the indie/lofi-movement of the 90s, creating - in all its simplicity - pop-music both more advanced and yet simpler and more truthful than anything done before it. The first listening might give the impression of a feelgood easy-listening album, but underneath it all lies a nerve equal to the works of Jeff Buckley and his like.
Though creating a universe of its own, distanced by a clear sarcastic tone, "Tigermilk" leaves the listener with the impression that this is something highly personal. The odd combination of lyrics and music leaves the listener unsure as to wether he should laugh or bawl.
Running the risk of ending up entangled in clichés, I daresay that "Tigermilk" stands out as an accurate description of modern life and culture; that the belles in their firm intention of creating an album completely unsuited of intellectual analysis (or commercial success for that matter), managed to create the album that described their own generation.
Sadly, at current point "Tigermilk" seems only a distant memory of the artistic capabilities of the belles, as "Belle" herself, in real life named Isobel Campbell, left the band in 2002 to focus on her solo career, and the band after their transfer to Rough Trade has started tuning their guitars and hiring professional musicians and producers - a move that has removed most of their original charm and created just another radio-friendly Scottish pop-band.
PS. Isobel Campbell is currently releasing on Snowstorm under her own name and has previously released on Jeepster as The Gentle Waves, both french-pop inspired projects and next door neighbours to B&S. Her Gentle Waves album "Swansong for You" is definetily worth both your time and money.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
...I must write in to say that this is truly a masterpiece of an album. Stuart Murdoch writes lyrics worthy of the great Lou Reed and melodies worthy of the Beatles. The instruments and identities of the eight band members meld into one to create a sonic stew of pop nirvana. "The State I Am In" and "We Rule The School" are undeniable works of genius, but the other songs also hold strongly. "Electronic Renaissance" is a great track, but it doesn't truly belong with this collection of indie pop-rock tunes.
Belle and Sebastian is one of the best modern rock bands, as Stuart Murdoch's complex and intellectual lyrics are easily bent into hummable pop melodies, you find yourself loving it more with each listen. This is truly a great album.
(This album deserves 4.5 stars, but 5 will have to do)
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Hard to phathom how this little doozy got started. So some college kids from Glasgow got together to put to music some penned up material from aspiring poet Stuart Murdoch, and the result was a very limited edition of about 1,000 vinyl copies of what became known as "Tigermilk". Usually this stuff gets a B+ by the instructor, is listened to a few times by family members and close friends of the 'band', then gets forgotten, and the students graduate and get real jobs or something. Hah, well, sometimes in the vast sea of college projects rises to the surface a creation that doesn't go away...or refuses to go away, as the case may be. Like the "Blair Witch" phenomenom, this quiet, unassuming set of 10 songs caught a wave -- a tidal wave so-to-speak -- and for its first few years of its existence, was spread mostly through word of mouth (and then through music file sharing programs, at least until more copies went into print) at an alarming rate. Why is that? What makes this record so special?
Well, start with the opening song, "The State I Am In". This song begins with a faye acapella and lots of atmosphere...just Murdoch and a quiet accoustic guitar. The voice is delicate, but gripping, and the lyrics offer an intriguing puzzle that sucks you in at once. You could swear it was Nick Drake singing from beyond the grave. It virtually insists that, if you are to listen, you are to give it your full and undivided attention. And slowly enough you realize, this guy has something really important to say...passively perhaps, almost without consequence...but you can't help but think this could be your younger sibling or best friend that is suddenly opening their heart and soul to you. For instance, "The priest in the booth had a photographic memory for all he had heard. He took all of my sins, and he wrote a pocket novel called The State That I Am In. So I gave myself to God. There was a pregnant pause before He said ok. Now I spend my day turning tables round in Marks & Spencer's, they don't seem to mind". Doesn't seem like much, but to hear it softly sung and accompanied by a lovely melody that builds gradually before reaching a peak, hovering delightfully at its apex over a truly gorgeous chorus...it is with one quick listen (or maybe it was two?) that it becomes apparent this isn't some fiviolous group of punks smashing irrelevant notes together in their basement, driving their parents insane. This IS something special.
"Tigermilk" is bascially Stuart Murdoch's first solo album (ha ha). Sure, he has a backing accompaniment of five other band members who play various instruments and occassionally offer backing vocals and other contributions. But Murdoch writes, sings, and plays guitar in all ten tracks here...and that's a great thing really. His acute ideas for harmonizing stories of teen angst ("Expectations"), awkward character studies ("She's Losing It"), philosophical renderings ("I Could Be Dreaming") are obviously influenced from many different leanings (The Smiths, Field Mice, Love, Nick Drake, etc), but he combines them into a unique and refreshing approach that stands at odds with most contemporary music of its time -- mid-90s -- and at the same time inspires a host of twenty and thirty somethings...of all sorts of backgrounds...to hitch on for a ride into a world of escapism, perhaps even necessary isolationism. It is a big bad world out there after all, and where to go and seek shelter when you are a generation X'er (or Y'er), with all the expectations, pressures and sensory overload threatening to bury you under its weight? These guys know your anguish, certainly, and in turn offer you just the right recipe for sublime transcendental cravings. Listen to "I Could Be Dreaming" for instance...it has perhaps the most complex production of any song on the album, with instruments, mixings, and overdubs weaving a textured backdrop that fits seamlessly with the suggestive lyrics presented in a rambling, stream of conscious fashion so as to evoke our inner most desires -- those sames ones strangled by daily inhibitions, only to awaken during our reveries. (Why the song tails off into Isobel Campbell giving a recitation of several passages from the novel Rip Van Winkle, I have no idea, other than it's non-too-subtle tie into to the song's title, but it's loads of fun regardless). Or "We Rule The School", which contains excerpts from Panchebel's Canon, not to mention the most enchanting flute instrumental I've ever heard.
All tracks here are extremely well done, and don't sound anything like what you would expect from a group of inexperienced music students. They're clever, inventive, familiar yet crisp and new all at once. As sad as some of the themes are, the tunes are decidedly uplifting and toe-tapping in a majority of the cases (just listen to the pop giddyness of "You're Just A Baby", or the soaring instrumentation and vocals behind "My Wandering Days Are Over"). Other notables include "I Don't Love Anyone", which is arguably the most punkish B&S ever got....that is to say, not very. But even with this light-hearted dabble into the world of adolescent rebellion, it's done in a fashion that's instantly recognizable and complete with a sing-along chorus that is reminiscent of some of the best pop from the 60's. The only real odd-ball tune on here is "Electronic Renaissance", which is a stab at early 80s techno/synth pop. Just what the point of this was I'm not sure, but as much as it kind of disrupts the flow of the album, in retrospect it is still a well done tune that is just as good as anything Duran Duran gave us (okay, maybe it's not on the same level as "The Reflex", but it manages to work nevertheless).
Overall, a very impressive debut. The word-of-mouth success of Tigermilk thankfully led to the group's continuing efforts of translating Murdoch's songs and ideas into actual music. Who knew that their next project, after using more time to crispen the sound and further embellish the harmonies, would be one of the most memorable musical achievements of the last 15-20 years?
Well, start with the opening song, "The State I Am In". This song begins with a faye acapella and lots of atmosphere...just Murdoch and a quiet accoustic guitar. The voice is delicate, but gripping, and the lyrics offer an intriguing puzzle that sucks you in at once. You could swear it was Nick Drake singing from beyond the grave. It virtually insists that, if you are to listen, you are to give it your full and undivided attention. And slowly enough you realize, this guy has something really important to say...passively perhaps, almost without consequence...but you can't help but think this could be your younger sibling or best friend that is suddenly opening their heart and soul to you. For instance, "The priest in the booth had a photographic memory for all he had heard. He took all of my sins, and he wrote a pocket novel called The State That I Am In. So I gave myself to God. There was a pregnant pause before He said ok. Now I spend my day turning tables round in Marks & Spencer's, they don't seem to mind". Doesn't seem like much, but to hear it softly sung and accompanied by a lovely melody that builds gradually before reaching a peak, hovering delightfully at its apex over a truly gorgeous chorus...it is with one quick listen (or maybe it was two?) that it becomes apparent this isn't some fiviolous group of punks smashing irrelevant notes together in their basement, driving their parents insane. This IS something special.
"Tigermilk" is bascially Stuart Murdoch's first solo album (ha ha). Sure, he has a backing accompaniment of five other band members who play various instruments and occassionally offer backing vocals and other contributions. But Murdoch writes, sings, and plays guitar in all ten tracks here...and that's a great thing really. His acute ideas for harmonizing stories of teen angst ("Expectations"), awkward character studies ("She's Losing It"), philosophical renderings ("I Could Be Dreaming") are obviously influenced from many different leanings (The Smiths, Field Mice, Love, Nick Drake, etc), but he combines them into a unique and refreshing approach that stands at odds with most contemporary music of its time -- mid-90s -- and at the same time inspires a host of twenty and thirty somethings...of all sorts of backgrounds...to hitch on for a ride into a world of escapism, perhaps even necessary isolationism. It is a big bad world out there after all, and where to go and seek shelter when you are a generation X'er (or Y'er), with all the expectations, pressures and sensory overload threatening to bury you under its weight? These guys know your anguish, certainly, and in turn offer you just the right recipe for sublime transcendental cravings. Listen to "I Could Be Dreaming" for instance...it has perhaps the most complex production of any song on the album, with instruments, mixings, and overdubs weaving a textured backdrop that fits seamlessly with the suggestive lyrics presented in a rambling, stream of conscious fashion so as to evoke our inner most desires -- those sames ones strangled by daily inhibitions, only to awaken during our reveries. (Why the song tails off into Isobel Campbell giving a recitation of several passages from the novel Rip Van Winkle, I have no idea, other than it's non-too-subtle tie into to the song's title, but it's loads of fun regardless). Or "We Rule The School", which contains excerpts from Panchebel's Canon, not to mention the most enchanting flute instrumental I've ever heard.
All tracks here are extremely well done, and don't sound anything like what you would expect from a group of inexperienced music students. They're clever, inventive, familiar yet crisp and new all at once. As sad as some of the themes are, the tunes are decidedly uplifting and toe-tapping in a majority of the cases (just listen to the pop giddyness of "You're Just A Baby", or the soaring instrumentation and vocals behind "My Wandering Days Are Over"). Other notables include "I Don't Love Anyone", which is arguably the most punkish B&S ever got....that is to say, not very. But even with this light-hearted dabble into the world of adolescent rebellion, it's done in a fashion that's instantly recognizable and complete with a sing-along chorus that is reminiscent of some of the best pop from the 60's. The only real odd-ball tune on here is "Electronic Renaissance", which is a stab at early 80s techno/synth pop. Just what the point of this was I'm not sure, but as much as it kind of disrupts the flow of the album, in retrospect it is still a well done tune that is just as good as anything Duran Duran gave us (okay, maybe it's not on the same level as "The Reflex", but it manages to work nevertheless).
Overall, a very impressive debut. The word-of-mouth success of Tigermilk thankfully led to the group's continuing efforts of translating Murdoch's songs and ideas into actual music. Who knew that their next project, after using more time to crispen the sound and further embellish the harmonies, would be one of the most memorable musical achievements of the last 15-20 years?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Album
Belle and Sebastian have long held my heart with their music. This particular album was a must-have for my vinyl collection, and would recommend it whole-heartedly to anyone... Read more
Published 6 months ago by by Ben
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Breakfast of Twee Champions.
Tigermilk is the most consistently good full length Lp of a band that generally writes consistently great music anyway. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Abyssalmang
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superficially infantile, at heart a substantial pop classic
I've had a complex relationship with TIGERMILK, the debut album of Belle and Sebastian. Growing up in the 1990s and early millennium, I had heard of Belle and Sebastian as a major... Read more
Published on May 13, 2011 by Christopher Culver
3.0 out of 5 stars
Study foundation
Oft-cited debut can't live up to classic status (lacking more intricate songwriting that was to come) but can be seen as the head-turning, prog-folk, arrangement-heavy group's... Read more
Published on March 26, 2009 by IRate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Are you a Belle?
If you're a Belle (a Belle and Sebastian fan), pass this by. You don't need to be told. If you've never heard this amazing band, whose exquisite retro melodies meet frequently... Read more
Published on August 3, 2008 by valentine03
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of B&S' better albums
This is the 4th B&S album I bought, and it was a fantastic purchase. After snatching up their newer albums (The Life Pursuit and Dear Catastrophe Waitress) I listened to their... Read more
Published on February 3, 2008 by Scott Yanoff
5.0 out of 5 stars
best debut album ever (for some silly kids ;)
B&S display their classic wit and talent from the very first line of this debut album.
My favorites include Expectations, We Rule the School, and I Don't Love Anyone.
My favorites include Expectations, We Rule the School, and I Don't Love Anyone.
Published on May 10, 2007 by Penny Prophet
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!!
I enjoy listening to the entire cd, a must have for any B & S fan.
Published on January 3, 2007 by Rita GotohChavez
5.0 out of 5 stars
If I have to pick my favorite...
Plain and simple...Belle & Sebastian is my favorite band and this is, in my opinion, their best album. Read more
Published on November 30, 2006 by jidazosp
5.0 out of 5 stars
So many good reviews for a good album
If you're looking at this album to buy and enjoy, please be aware that most fans of this album just happen to enjoy it. Read more
Published on November 18, 2006 by bluetwilight
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