Belle & Sebastian "Your Cover's Blown"

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The first three minutes are fantastic and convincingly disco, but then it loses me a bit when it shifts into more of a "Paint It Black" kind of thing. The final third of the song gets a little better, but it's nowhere near as good as that first part.

How do the lot of you feel about this?

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:19 (twenty-two years ago)

i feel like i should get my hands on this..

― bill stevens (bscrubbins), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I put it up at Gramophone.

Predictably, Matthew, I like the last third best, but they pull off the disco beginning remarkably well. It would be even better if they weren't playing at an 'edge': Belle and Sebastian are sexy in a terry-cloth way, but I don't really want to hear them doing black-leathery-things.

― Sean M (Sean M), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I like it, but I'm beginning to wonder if I like what it means in terms of the band branching out/embracing disco/etc. more than I actually like the track itself.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Anyway, I like songs that make me laugh and wonder at their ridiculousness, so that's a point in its favor.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Best B-Side of the year. No contest. Fantastic intro.

― Mr. Snrub, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Damn, Sean! You beat me. I was hoping to post it tomorrow.

B&S have always seemed to have an interest in dance music - on previous releases, that manifested itself as cheesy electropop ("Electronic Renaissance") or faux Motown/Northern Soul fare ("Women's Realm," "Legal Man," "Dirty Dream #2"). It's not so surprising to me that they'd try something like this.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:48 (twenty-two years ago)

What's surprising is that as dance music it's so contemporary. (That is, post 1980.) It's a far cry from the vintage stuff they've done before.

― Sean M (Sean M), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:51 (twenty-two years ago)

As I said here (does anyone still like Belle and Sebastian?) I think I love it.

I've been railing against B&S doing pastiche since 1998, but for some reason my opinions are totally reversed when the lyrics are singular Murdoch stuff rather than straining for a 'classic pop' feel (the Thatcher line redeeming 'Step Into My Office Baby', for example).

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:53 (twenty-two years ago)

I think that B&S are slowly moving up through the decades. In twenty years, they will be making records that sounds like Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:53 (twenty-two years ago)

The only time the 60s thing has really worked for me is 'I'm Waking Up To Us'. And how.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Around 2009, B&S will make a record which will sound like World Party.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:55 (twenty-two years ago)

then back to bill monroe?

― Sean M (Sean M), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I liked it when Murdoch rapped on 'Shoot the Sexual Athlete', but I'm not sure anyone else did.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:56 (twenty-two years ago)

At the moment, I agree with Matthew about it losing it when it goes into the 'Paint it, Black' bit. It's what stops me putting it on a compilation CD I'm making. But my feelings about this track aren't settled yet, I don't think.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 16:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I might make an edit of the song which fades out before the "Paint It Black" section. I'm not sure if it'll work, but it would be way better for mixes and maybe even for a DJ set.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 17:00 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I agree with N., about B&S. Especially the bit about the particularity of the lyrics.

I think the backing vocals make this particular song.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 17:24 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I like 'Cover (Version)' more than 'Your Cover's Blown'. It reminds me of the Leroy Hutson classic 'Feel the Spirit in '76'.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 18:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Peter, I agree, I like Cover (Version) better. It is a dirty funk epic.

"Feel the spirit in '76" sounds like a great tune, just by its name. I've got one Leroy Hutson record, but it's vinyl, which is so cool I can't play it.

Does "Your Secrets" say "I'd be a doozer if I can"?

― Keith Watson (kmw), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:32 (twenty-two years ago)

at the very beginning i mistake it for DMX's "Where Da Hood At."

― daziz, Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Everyone at work tells me it sounds like Cliff Richard and the Shadows.

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I love the doobie bros. disco riffs, and I think the end is the PERFECT way to finish the song. Overall, this is so far my favorite non-hip-hop summer jam. Get in your car and drive in the sunshine with the damn thing blaring.

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 19:59 (twenty-two years ago)

"The end is the perfect way to finish the song."

Huh, I didn't mean to sound THAT stupid. What I mean, to expand, is that the shift in tone that comes for the third act of the song seems like the perfect resolution to me, and makes the Paint it Black diversion worth it. I actually think this might be perfect right in the MIDDLE of a mix CD, for that very reason. Track 9. Yes, that'll do nicely.

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 20:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, it's just that the rest of the compilation I'm making is disco, Ze Records and french house kind of thing.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:39 (twenty-two years ago)

So will it have Led Zeppelin on it?

― Keith Watson (kmw), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:41 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Scott CE is right about the structure. It's a bit like a story that takes a weird turn in the second act which makes sense when it's all over.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:54 (twenty-two years ago)

No Keith, they ruined filterdisco and I will never forgive them for that.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 21:55 (twenty-two years ago)

It's really good, I like it a lot. It's not great, though, because it's simply not one of his best songs - it's hiding behind the groove a little. Yes, the groove goes a long way (it'll probably be one of my favorite songs of the year), but it's still quite clearly B&S doing pastiche (ie it wouldn't make my revised B&S POX). Still, they are on the top of their game, and this is plenty of fuel for me to continue LOVING them.

Also, first 10 seconds = best part !!

― Sonny A. (Keiko), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 22:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Andrew - look at the other recent B&S thread -- they are actually paying royalties to The Shadows!

― Neb Reyob (Ben Boyer), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 22:27 (twenty-two years ago)

fantastic, they've really become a different band since "Legal Man". They just keep improving.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 22:41 (twenty-two years ago)

It's brilliant, I can't wait for the next album.

For those who haven't heard the Cliff & the Shads track, I've uploaded it here.

― retort pouch (retort pouch), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 22:45 (twenty-two years ago)

'Wrapped Up In Books' / 'Your Cover's Blown' confusion seems to be raging again. I am pretty sure 'Your Cover's Blown' sounds nothing like any Shadows track, but I am prepared to be proved wrong.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 23:41 (twenty-two years ago)

they've really become a different band since "Legal Man"

They sorta had to. (As it stands, I feel even Trevor Horn can't save them.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 22 June 2004 23:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Noo, 'Your Cover's Blown' doesn't sound like the Shads, 'Wrapped Up In Books' does.

As for 'Your Cover's Blown,' I think the 'Paint It, Black' section sounds more like Sparks than the Stones, but maybe that's just me. -----[Ned bait]

― retort pouch (retort pouch), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I know, I was joking.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Fuck.

― retort pouch (retort pouch), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe Andrew L was too - I d-don't know anymore.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:21 (twenty-one years ago)

N-no I wasn't joking, I haven't read that other thread so didn't realise this was all old news.

(actual convo: "Have you heard the new B+S single, Andrew, it sounds just like Cliff Richard and the Shadows!"

"No I haven't, but then B+S are one of my v. least fave groups ever"

"That figures, they have tunes" ha fucking ha)

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

It's funny, I like the ppl who post on B+S threads much more than I like the ppl who post on the Noize threads - I still sort've live in hope that one day the Pinefox will get into Lightning Bolt...

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 00:46 (twenty-one years ago)

"I've been railing against B&S doing pastiche since 1998"

Yeah, I wish that they would stop Being Other People, too.

― Mooro (Mooro), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 07:54 (twenty-one years ago)

OK I bought this, and the second time of playing I liked it better than the first time.

"I'm a cuckoo" (e.p) though was a return to form of the first e.p.s so a hard act to follow.

I never heared that first single "Baby your life insurance is bad" or whatever it's called.

― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 08:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't realise just how much people still cared about B&S. andrew L and ned, especially. it's nice to know.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 08:02 (twenty-one years ago)

i like the people who post on the noise threads. they are erudite and sassy

― charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 08:19 (twenty-one years ago)

wot, and we're fkin not, ay?

― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 08:49 (twenty-one years ago)

that is one possible reading

― charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 08:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Blackburn sacked for playing Cliff.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 15:49 (twenty-one years ago)

How much do B&S still care about B&S?

I have only heard this song, one, in a club. I do not remember anything about it.

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

It's funny, I like the ppl who post on B+S threads much more than I like the ppl who post on the Noize threads - I still sort've live in hope that one day the Pinefox will get into Lightning Bolt...

In a way, I am going to take that as a compliment. But I don't know what Lightning Bolt is.

N. said something interesting. What was it?

Actually, I can't find it now.

I have not heard the new track.

I think JtN's post is like a pinefox post.

I like Mooro's post too.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 23 June 2004 17:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Ally, with the amount you drink I'm not surprised you jakey.

― Keith Watson (kmw), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

so, i thought i'd listen to this.

i really dont get how this is convincingly disco, it sounds like a provincial indie club in somewhere like hull or newport to me. the faux-electroclash spoken word bit is so bad, and then his voice comes in, and thats the main problem, a weak and ineffective voice, the guitar isnt so bad, but the rest is that shuffley indie thing they always do, but with the bass a bit louder. i dont see how this is any change in direction

perhaps it seems worse than it is because here is everyone talking about authentically disco it is, but it doesnt seem that way to me. it sounds like the late 90s to me

i'm surprised by the positive reactions of some here, and unsurprised by the positive reactions of others

hes doing that bit at the end now, god his voice is awful, i hate that thin warm sound

― charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 18:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I hope they can get back to ripping off Bryter Layter soon

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 23 June 2004 18:36 (twenty-one years ago)

"Your Cover's Blown" is what Franz Ferdinand think they sound like. Discuss.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 23 June 2004 18:56 (twenty-one years ago)

three years pass...

This is the best Belle and Sebastian track ever.

― Dom Passantino, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 09:48 (eighteen years ago)

Well, it's not the "I'm a cuckoo" e.p. (DVD)

But I like it!

― Mark G, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 09:55 (eighteen years ago)

Isn't it about time for a new one? "Funny little frog" seems like ages ago!

― Mark G, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 09:56 (eighteen years ago)

Must...not...agree...with...Dom... Oh too late.

― the next grozart, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 10:31 (eighteen years ago)

Agree with Dom. Fantastic song.

― paulhw, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 14:45 (eighteen years ago)

B & S warm my heart like a group of aged shrimp farmers, although I could do without their cover of "Macerena" on the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack.

― TynanTynan, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 15:15 (eighteen years ago)

The best B&S song is "Seeing Other People", though "Your Cover's Blown" is nice too.

― zeus, Wednesday, 29 August 2007 20:29 (eighteen years ago)

i need to play this EP. haven't heard this in a very long time but is one of their best songs to that point. i love, love, loved their last record, one of the few where there is no filler.

― Bee OK, Thursday, 30 August 2007 06:10 (eighteen years ago)

I wouldn't put this song in their top 15 (I do love it, though). Best B&S track? Hmm..."Boy With the Arab Strap," I think. Or maybe "Sleep the Clock Around" or "Expectations"

― Tape Store, Thursday, 30 August 2007 06:51 (eighteen years ago)

Did we do the singles poll yet?

― Mark G, Thursday, 30 August 2007 07:16 (eighteen years ago)

that guitar at the beginning is just wonderful

― tissp, Thursday, 30 August 2007 14:47 (eighteen years ago)

Best B&S track, still, is "Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying".

I think.

― DavidM, Thursday, 30 August 2007 14:59 (eighteen years ago)

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