Belle and Sebastian Write About Love
by Belle and Sebastian
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Oct 12, 2010
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
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  1. Zuwur
    Oct 13, 2010
    8
    More of a "it's not broke so don't fix it" type of release, but B&S's sound has always been enjoyable and infectious, so it's still a treat. Seems like a slight dissapointment at first, but after a few spinsm some of the records more subtle charms start to peak out. As other reviewers have said, the Norah Jones duet is probably the weakest track.
  2. finemind
    Oct 13, 2010
    10
    This appears to be a grower. Well, I've owned it for two days and it's grown on me. Nothing here as frenetically energetic as on the Life Pursuit, an album which grew on me enough to become a second skin.
    But a duet with Norah Jones? If there is a low point on this record, it is sitting through 5 minutes of that painfully (in)sincere breathy delivery. Let's just hope legions of Jones    This appears to be a grower. Well, I've owned it for two days and it's grown on me. Nothing here as frenetically energetic as on the Life Pursuit, an album which grew on me enough to become a second skin.
    But a duet with Norah Jones? If there is a low point on this record, it is sitting through 5 minutes of that painfully (in)sincere breathy delivery. Let's just hope legions of Jones completists pile in and buy this, ensuring B&S can avoid day jobs, pay their not insubstantial Scottish gas bills and produce another album at least as lovely as this.    … Expand
  3. RyanGee
    Oct 17, 2010
    8
    Belle & Sebastian is known to change their sound with each album. The Life Pursuit was a step towards a more rockish pop sound, but it seems as if they abandoned that progression and went back to the days of "Dear Catastrophe Waitress". Belle & Sebastian's new effort, Write About Love, is more of their reunion album than a true Belle & Sebastian LP. While this description be seen withBelle & Sebastian is known to change their sound with each album. The Life Pursuit was a step towards a more rockish pop sound, but it seems as if they abandoned that progression and went back to the days of "Dear Catastrophe Waitress". Belle & Sebastian's new effort, Write About Love, is more of their reunion album than a true Belle & Sebastian LP. While this description be seen with negative connotation, this is not necessarily true. As said before, Write About Love is a continuation of the poppy songs seen on their 2003 album. The songs in this album are enjoyable, from the title track "Write About Love" to the opening Sarah + Stuart duet "I Didn't See It Coming." The tracks are pure twee, making the album as a whole, pleasant sounding. What makes it not stand out, is that there is essentially no innovation. Aside from the minor-scale sounding "I Didn't See It Coming," Write About Love is purely a pop album. Fans of "If You're Feeling Sinister" or "Tigermilk" may not find as much enjoyment as a new listener, due to the fact that it does not bring anything new to the table. With the innovation aspect set aside, Write About Love is a good album. It is really well crafted, and uses the pop formula to perfection. The melodies are catchy, and structurally, the album is a success. Let's just hope that their next album will be a true B&S album.… Expand
  4. egovirus
    Nov 2, 2010
    5
    Love this band, but for some reason this album got a single listen, after which NOTHING caught my ear, my imagination, or my interest. How did this happen? I'm not saying it's a bad album, only that it has only generated a very long indifference I don't think I feel bad about. 5 is for the benefit of the doubt.
  5. danosx
    Oct 13, 2010
    8
    It's better than expected. Came in expecting to hate it, but was pleasantly surprised. Doesn't have quite the same feel as some of their older records, but still has a very nice, familiar sound.
  6. cupofbeans
    Oct 15, 2010
    8
    I've listened to this a few times now and it's definitely 'a grower' with the first 5 or 6 songs among their very best. However the remainder are a little pedestrian and for this reason I've only awarded it a score of 8. Not as good as Dear Catastrophe Waitress (their best so far) but still a fine album with lots to recommend it.
  7. Aetheri
    Oct 20, 2010
    7
    This is a return to the classic B&S sound. This album is subdued, pretty and sweet as candy. If you liked the direction that The Life Pursuit had the group moving, you may be taken aback or a little disappointed with this. However, if you think If You're Feeling Sinister is the cat's meow (or perhaps... the tiger's milk) then this album may be just what you've been waiting for.
  8. ThingsOnFire
    May 22, 2011
    8
    The first time I heard this album I was like "Myeh". At first I regretted buying this, but when I popped it in a couple weeks later it really started to stand out. It's really quite a catchy album. The album certainly has it's faults, the vocals could use some serious work on them. The sugary popness of it all is....kind of cheesy. But over all, I was surprised how much I liked this album.The first time I heard this album I was like "Myeh". At first I regretted buying this, but when I popped it in a couple weeks later it really started to stand out. It's really quite a catchy album. The album certainly has it's faults, the vocals could use some serious work on them. The sugary popness of it all is....kind of cheesy. But over all, I was surprised how much I liked this album. I've given it several listens and have enjoyed it a lot.… Expand
  9. finulanu
    Jul 22, 2011
    7
    It's pretty good - the title track and "I Want the World to Stop" are classic B&S, for instance - but I can't help thinking this is their least memorable album to date. Rather disappointing, but worth a couple listens.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed Album of 2010
90
#90 Most Shared Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Under The Radar
    Dec 21, 2010
    70
    On Write About Love, he's in a more traditionally romantic mode, but nonetheless maintains his keen eye for the minutiae of relationships, while never denying the complexity of the attendant emotions.
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  2. American Songwriter
    Oct 26, 2010
    70
    Their eighth studio album is somewhere between an extension of their previous indie gems and another baby step towards radio-friendliness.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    Oct 21, 2010
    60
    Frontman Stuart Murdoch entreats over a soul groove on B&S' eighth disc, which loads up on Sixties-pop goodies without diluting the group's willowy kink.
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