Dear Catastrophe Waitress
The first Rough Trade album, produced by Trevor Horn, with Murdoch back as the main writer.
Belle & Sebastian, 2003
- Released
- 6 October 2003
- Recorded
- Summer 2003
- Studio
- Sarm West Studios, London
- Label
- Rough Trade
- Producer
- Trevor Horn
- Length
- 48:17
Trevor Horn had become a fan of the band through his teenage daughter and particularly admired the lyrics. When the band heard, they invited him to produce. Horn was known for using electronic equipment, which made him a surprising choice for a band the Guardian described as the last living purveyors of arts-and-crafts indie values. They worked traditionally, rehearsing at length and then recording live rather than using overdubs.
The result sounded more produced than the first four albums. It was warmly received and is credited with restoring the band's indie credibility, and it returned Murdoch to the role of main songwriter. It was nominated for the 2004 Mercury Music Prize, and Step into My Office, Baby was shortlisted for an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song. The album reached 21 in the UK, 84 on the US Billboard 200, 10 in Norway, 16 in Sweden and 25 in Ireland. By 2007 it had sold 138,000 copies in the United States.
Track listing
- Step into My Office, Baby4:12
- Dear Catastrophe Waitress2:22
- If She Wants Me5:05
- Piazza, New York Catcher3:03
- Asleep on a Sunbeam3:22
- I'm a Cuckoo5:26
- You Don't Send Me3:08
- Wrapped Up in Books3:34
- Lord Anthony4:14
- If You Find Yourself Caught in Love4:15
- Roy Walker2:57
- Stay Loose6:41
Personnel
- Trevor Horn producer
- Sarah Martin vocals on Asleep on a Sunbeam
- Stuart Murdoch vocals on Asleep on a Sunbeam and Wrapped Up in Books
- Stevie Jackson vocals on Wrapped Up in Books and Roy Walker
More from Belle & Sebastian
Tigermilk (1996), If You're Feeling Sinister (1996), The Boy with the Arab Strap (1998), The Life Pursuit (2006)
Sources
- Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Wikipedia
- Belle & Sebastian, Wikipedia