i've been anticipating the new belle and sebastian album more than anything they've released since i had my heart broken by fold your hands, child... and storytelling. now i'm starting to regard those records as the chrysalis phase, from which b&s have emerged with an altogether new form - one that almost fits them better than the sinister/tigermilk form... well, perhaps that's a bit of a stretch, but the life pursuit one-ups even the great popness of dear catastrophe waitress, an album which appears to be sadly underrated by rmd (cuckoo is only one of many great tracks).

anyway, i've been listening to this album a lot since i ordered it a few days ago, and my current favorite song is the opener, act of the apostle. heavy smiths influence, but also some elements of early/mid-90s dream popness like the cocteau twins.

i also like the second track, another sunny day, which is more of a traditional b&s song, but with a little more bounce.