The Life Pursuit
by Belle and Sebastian
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

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  1. MarioP
    Jun 29, 2006
    3
    Totally agree with Michael. The arrangements are even worse than those of Dear Catastrophe Waitress, and the tunes are totally forgettable, barring a good (Another Sunny Day) and a decent (Funny Little Frog) one. A huge disappointement from them, and I guess after listening to this and DCW there's no way back. I really loved them from Tigermilk through Fold Your Hands Child. Shame Totally agree with Michael. The arrangements are even worse than those of Dear Catastrophe Waitress, and the tunes are totally forgettable, barring a good (Another Sunny Day) and a decent (Funny Little Frog) one. A huge disappointement from them, and I guess after listening to this and DCW there's no way back. I really loved them from Tigermilk through Fold Your Hands Child. Shame really that they've gone for this idiotic sunny pop.… Expand
  2. Phil
    Feb 8, 2006
    3
    Absurd - reminds me of The Monkees, The Partridge Family, or Brady Bunch. Can't you just see the polyester slacks, floral print shirts, and the stupid smiles on their face as they sing sing sing so merrily these delightful little ditties. Ugh. Save me, please.
  3. JJ
    Feb 6, 2006
    3
    belle & sebastian are overrated. none of their stuff actually sounds good.
  4. Michael
    Feb 14, 2006
    3
    Hearing this was like finding out your best friend in college got married and drives a minivan. Any of the dark wit that characterizes the best of Belle and Sebastian is buried under the clunky, emabarrassing arrangements here. Stuart Murdoch tries to get tough on 'Sukie in the Graveyard' and ends up sounding like the white kid who tries to rap in the school talent show. All the Hearing this was like finding out your best friend in college got married and drives a minivan. Any of the dark wit that characterizes the best of Belle and Sebastian is buried under the clunky, emabarrassing arrangements here. Stuart Murdoch tries to get tough on 'Sukie in the Graveyard' and ends up sounding like the white kid who tries to rap in the school talent show. All the wrong turns that started with 'Legal Man' reappear on this album. The only jewel in this heap is 'Another Sunny Day' which combines Murdoch's clever, ironic lyrics with the band's knack for melodies that seem like they've always existed. The rest of the album is a disappointing, mediocre pastiche. The acclaim this album is receiving is baffling.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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]
  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.
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  3. 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.
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