Belle and Sebastian – The Third Eye Centre

Scottish indie-rockers Belle and Sebastian return with their first album since 2010’s critical success Write about Love, but how does this compilation measure up?

Piano ballad Long Black Scarf is one of the album’s tear-jerkers, while previous bonus track Suicide Girl is as a highlight with its chilled out instrumental and Smiths-esque vocals. I’m A Cuckoo, already a standout track from the band is remixed to perfection here; with the addition of infectious tribal vocals and pulsating beats, Avalanches successfully pull the song into the now.

The Latin-inspired Mr. Richard is fun, getting the listener moving with its techno beats and experimental hook. It feels like the soundtrack from a 60s hippie movie and you really sense the freedom and rebellion for which the era is famed.

Despite the good collection of B-sides and bonus tracks, most of the remixes leave something to be desired. Your Cover’s Blown is beyond recognition thanks to the new Miaoux Miaoux mix, which filters out the heavy bass that made the track so loveable in the first place. The previous seven-minute epic Stop, Look and Listen is split here into two slightly underwhelming tracks, lacking the full effect they deserve.

A collection of remixes and B-sides from the past decade, Third Eye delivers more hits than misses, and never seems to develop into a concrete work. However, despite not being Belle and Sebastian’s finest creation, the album still holds some quality and is worthy of a listen.

Jack Whitfield

The Third Eye Centre was released on 26^th August 2013.

Listen to I’m A Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix) here: