A Middle Distance Runner
I could fill an entire blog with posts about B&S songs, the list never ends. But in the interest of not boring everyone to death I’m keeping it to my absolute favorites. Stuart Murdoch is an incredible poet and it’s a wonder they also come up with such beautiful music to accompany his words. Something that has always struck me about their recording style is the one-take nature they all seem to have (pre-The Life Pursuit albums at least). Not a ton of effects or production work, just them and their instruments. If you check them out live this fact becomes even more evident. Here’s a great video of them performing this song live.
I also love this cover, for obviously reasons. The type treatment is great and the color scheme is perfect. It’s definitely a break from the sort of duo-tone photos they typically feature on their covers, but this was just an EP and I think they might reserve those for the full albums most of the time. Sorry for the poor quality, I couldn’t find a proper scan of the cover anywhere.
Belle & Sebastian – The Loneliness Of A Middle Distance Runner
[audio:lonerunner.mp3]
9 Comments Leave A Comment
jasper F. Agterbosch says:
April 25, 2008 at 1:50 pmSo when are you going to do some work for them Scott ?
Scott says:
April 25, 2008 at 1:56 pmha, I don’t think it’s quite that simple. besides, I am not sure my style would suit them, they’ve a decidedly restrained aesthetic that’s less graphic design and more photographic.
Hugo Meira Mesquita says:
April 25, 2008 at 2:07 pmNice track… Remember good times.
jasper F. Agterbosch says:
April 25, 2008 at 4:31 pmYour best point (ah, that’s subjective I know) is that you can set a mood, be it graphic design or more artsy stuff or even with your photographs.
I think that set of moods you are working in can really work for B&S.
For what it’s worth, I can see it work and pull both of you to a next stage :-)
kelly says:
April 25, 2008 at 5:57 pmhiya scott!
just dropping by to say hello. i was surfing yahoo today and saw this avatar that looked like you :) hehe, enjoy!
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/cn/ans1/askmike2.jpg
Kyle says:
April 25, 2008 at 9:19 pmFantastic band to see live. I saw them live a few years back with The New Pornographers, fantastic show.
Their live show really highlights their lack of production.
Kyle says:
April 25, 2008 at 9:20 pm….in a good way
Hannah says:
April 28, 2008 at 6:57 amis that the band? or some characters from Clash of the Titans?
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