The Life Pursuit
by Belle and Sebastian
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Neumu.net
    95
    The Life Pursuit is an immaculate album; Belle & Sebastian craft pure pop perfection better than just about anybody.
  2. The A.V. Club
    91
    The band sounds reinvigorated even when returning to well-trodden turf, and even livelier when moving away from it.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A work more elastic and ebullient than their '90s releases. [10 Feb 2006, p.134]
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  5. Slant Magazine
    90
    The melodic hooks are huge, but what makes The Life Pursuit a legitimately great album is that Murdoch's lyrics are at turns witty, insightful, assertive, and sardonic.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Sounding somehow perfectly modern yet refreshingly and celebratory retro, The Life Pursuit is Belle And Sebastian at their freest, delightfully spilling over with great ideas and perfect pop know-how.
  7. musicOMH.com
    90
    Absolutely essential listening.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    90
    There's still plenty about the group to satisfy long-time fans, and there's a wealth of quality and innovation to win them some new ones.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The Life Pursuit is certainly nothing new in the pop lexicon, but Murdoch's keen observational eye gives these songs vivid life.
  10. Pitchfork
    85
    The band's latest extends their newfound confidence to content as well as delivery, and stands as the finest full-length by Stuart Murdoch and his shifting collaborators since [If You're Feeling Sinister].
  11. cokemachineglow
    83
    The Life Pursuit is unquestionably even more upbeat than its predecessor, but contains newfound degrees of confidence and swagger that elevate it over DCW in nearly every respect, resulting in the finest Belle and Sebastian record top to bottom since Sinister.
  12. Stylus Magazine
    83
    It's not as much a progress as DCW, but it's easily its equal.
  13. Dot Music
    80
    Hence we get an album which, musically at least, veers all over the place, from chamber pop to glam to, God help them, hotel lobby jazz. In other hands, this would be a terrible mess, but in each instance you feel like the group are inching ever closer to that perfect pop moment.
  14. Paste Magazine
    80
    A broader sonic palette--including more overt silliness--gives Murdoch a chance to explore more moods, including some that are deceptively light. [Feb/Mar 2006, p.102]
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  15. Mojo
    80
    Pleasing as Trevor Horn's simpatico production on 2003's Dear Catastrophe Waitress was, Tony Hoffer has picked up the baton and ran with it, capitalising on the band's increased musical confidence while preserving vital hints of indie scuzz. [Feb 2006, p.92]
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  16. AllMusic
    80
    It's not a radical departure for Belle & Sebastian -- there are several intimate, folky numbers that would comfortably fit on their previous records. But having these tunes surrounded by songs that successfully stretch the group's sound gives The Life Pursuit an unexpected, wholly welcome vitality.
  17. Uncut
    80
    A career milestone. [Mar 2006, p.91]
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  18. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    But while 'Dear Catastrophe Waitress' delivered an aural punch above B&S's usual weight, it wasn't quite the return to form many claimed. That return is delivered here, on 'The Life Pursuit', Belle And Sebastian's seventh album and their best since '...Sinister'.
  19. BBC collective
    80
    Possibly their best and certainly most joyously eclectic album yet.
  20. Billboard
    80
    "The Life Pursuit" continues B&S' growth into more of a timeless pop act, its wry eye toward U.K. life refocused into tighter, swifter arrangements. [11 Feb 2006]
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  21. Playlouder
    80
    A gloriously accomplished and very rewarding listen.
  22. Filter
    78
    There's no mistaking the band's sunnier and, well, manlier sound. [#19, p.89]
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  23. Spin
    75
    Hoffer preserves [Trevor] Horn's professional sheen but not his swinging charm, leaving us with all bathwater and no baby. [Feb 2006, p.86]
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  24. E! Online
    75
    The Life Pursuit is all swaying tempos and vintage summer-sad melodies that sound like a postcard from home.
  25. ShakingThrough.net
    74
    The Life Pursuit isn't so much a conflicted Belle & Sebastian as it is the sound of a band continuing to evolve its sound without sacrificing its core identity. It's certainly not the best place for a newcomer to start, but it's an interesting (if not wholly satisfying) addition to the band's body of work.
  26. Q Magazine
    70
    The presence of more filler than is comfortable does not detract from the creative health in evidence on the better songs. [Feb 2006, p.100]
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  27. Trouser Press
    70
    More of an expansion than a breakthrough.
  28. Urb
    70
    Shows exactly what a great, reliable pop entity they have become over the past decade. [Apr 2006, p.82]
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  29. PopMatters
    70
    It certainly takes another big step in a more assertive direction.
  30. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    They certainly have a grasp on what they're creating, but it hurts a little bit to think that the mysterious band-that-could from ten years back cares less for innovation than simply having a fleeting good time.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 109 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 120
  3. Negative: 4 out of 120
  1. Fall_Guy
    Jun 11, 2013
    10
    This is my first Metacritic review, and even though The Life Pursuit is 7 years old, I have to rave about this album. This is Belle andThis is my first Metacritic review, and even though The Life Pursuit is 7 years old, I have to rave about this album. This is Belle and Sebastian at their best: catchy, well-crafted melodic indie-pop with thoughtful, self-aware lyrics. Highlights for me: Funny Little Frog's boppy piano pop and hilarious lyrics, and White Collar Boy's perfectly balanced mix of thumping drums, fuzzed out bass line, plus its subtle and not-so-subtle social commentary.
    If you like being happy, listen to this album.    … Full Review »
  2. Vampire25
    Apr 1, 2012
    9
    Belle & Sebastian really have made a fantastic record. The Life Pursuit has some of the best tracks that this band has ever written. It neverBelle & Sebastian really have made a fantastic record. The Life Pursuit has some of the best tracks that this band has ever written. It never gets old and it always seems to get better with each listen. The first time I listened to it, I put it on again after I was done the first time. All In All, Belle & Sebastian haven't failed yet and this certainly fits perfectly in their wonderful discography. A-… Full Review »
  3. JTR
    Jul 2, 2007
    9
    It's always nice to be reminded why you love a band. This is such a solid album, so full of joy, wit, and inspiration.
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