#Dear Catastrophe Waitress

[ifshewantsme]

also happy 20th birthday to the greatest album ever written. you mean so much to me i love you i love you i love you

[reckonslepoisson]

Dear Catastrophe Waitress, Belle and Sebastian (2003)

I think that what I really, really needed in my life was a more overtly 60s-inspired Belle and Sebastian album. In that, Dear Catastrophe Waitress is marvellous; a sumptuous mix that gathers sunshine pop jolliness, open-hearted folk and the ear-twisting remnants of classic psych and merges it all with Stuart Murdoch’s typical sort of slick snidery.

Pick: ‘I’m a Cuckoo’

[punkrockmixtapes]

Belle & Sebastian - If She Wants Me

[thesoggywomanscds]

Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle and Sebastian

the ninety-seventh CD (compact disc) in my (thesoggywoman) collection (thesoggywomanscds)

12-30-24

[gummyartstradingcards]

[senorboombastic]

Live Review: Belle and Sebastian at Manchester Academy 21 July 2023

Words: Ben Forrester On my way to the Academy in Manchester this evening, I’m calculating how long it’s been since I was first introduced to Scotland’s premier indie group, Belle & Sebastian. Turns out it’s been 20 years, as it was their 2003 album ‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’ that switched me on to the Glaswegian’s glistening pop melodies. I’ve therefore waited two whole decades to see them…

[tomcat-radio]

Some Belle and Sebastian sketches because I love their album covers and wanted some value practice. Anyway I’m so normal about this band it’s insane.

[raylangivins]

belle and sebastian albums are like:

there’s tigermilk. there’s the red one with the song about bob dylan. there’s the green one i never listen to. there’s dear catastrophe waitress. idk the rest.

[tmbgareok]

what’s the last album you listened to?

This is straight off my "albums" Spotify on my phone.

One Way Ticket - The Nerves (I was looking for Hanging on the Telephone)

Teenager of the Year - Frank Black

Same Trailer, Different Park Kacey Musgraves

Fun Boy Three - Fun Boy Three

Live at the BBC - The Beatles

Teens of Denial - Car Seat Headrest

Out to Lunch - Eric Dolphy

Helen Merill

Heavy Metal - Cameron Winter

Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle and Sebastian

Whatever People Say I Am - The Artic Monkeys

if I had a hifi - Nada Surf

[ifshewantsme]

the boy with the arab strap is a perfect album. i’ve never heard an album, including any other belle and sebastian album, that sounds and feels the way that boy with the arab strap feels. the songs fit so perfectly together and they’re all so beautiful.

[musicalsiphonophore]

i think what makes early belle and sebastian hit so hard is the apathetic feeling in the songs.

Their songs are incredibly light in terms of the sounds themselves, no heaviness or sadness sits in the instrumentation.

In the early songs especially, the lyrics express the most mundane and mid experiences of life.

These are from the state I am in (1996), le pastie de la bourgeoisie (1997), like dylan in the movies (1996), and ease your feet off in the sea (1998).

It is very everyday subject matter. Most bands are not writing songs about sandwiches and working at M&S.

Also, the vocals generally sound extremely slow and careless. You can hear this in songs like Stars of Track and Field (1996) and Expectations (1996).

These two things combined give a feeling of real boredom; life is average and it’s kind of shit and very uninteresting, and the songs are just a bit done with it, and they aren’t going to embellish it that much, it is what it is.

A misery is written into some of these songs as well, especially on Boy With The Arab Strap.

From sleep the clock around (1998) (I’m absolutely insane about this lyric), is it wicked not to care? (1998), the fox in the snow (1996), and belle and sebastian (1997).

Oh, it’s devastating. That is the thing about this apathetic feeling that the songs evoke: on its own, it isn’t really a sad feeling, it is just empty. But when you zoom out, see how much is lost to not caring, it is absolutely heartbreaking. Early B&S summarises this so well: individually a lot of their music sounds pretty cheery, well maybe not CHEERY as such but certainly not sad, but if you think about it for a short moment, it is so upsetting.

For some context: Stuart Murdoch has chronic fatigue syndrome. He was out of school and work for a while in the late 80s / early 90s and in that time he would just watch people and come up with this stories about them. - Hence why so many of their early songs are about third or second person characters. This also explains why the exhausted feeling permeates the music.

if you want some songs that show this well, I advise you to just listen through boy with the arab strap and then listen to the state i am in, but for specific songs, see:

sleep the clock around (personal fave)

is it wicked not to care

the state i am in

belle and sebastian

get me away from here i’m dying

it could have been a brilliant career

a summer wasting, though this is more cheerful, but it is a different side of the same feeling

expectations

stars of track and field

if you’re feeling sinister

dog on wheels

lazy line painter jane

the fox in the snow

le pastie de la bourgeoisie

By the time dear catastrophe waitress came out, this feeling was no longer really present in their songs. Piazza new york catcher, for example, keeps this bright, weightless sound quality, but the deep seated unhappiness is mostly gone. (I can’t really speak for fold your hands child you walk like a peasant or storytelling, because I really don’t know those albums well, so idk when exactly that switch took place.)

It is good to see a musician actually become happier over time, because so many musicians seem to have the Amy Winehouse type situation where they become even more poorly adjusted. But it does mean the songs lose some of the emotional richness… but I am happy for Stuart Murdoch.

[charming-fawn]

heres a list of albums that capture a mix of whimsical, and dreamy vibes—perfect for leaning into the Twee aesthetic:

"In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" ! Neutral Milk Hotel

Full of haunting, surreal lyrics and lo-fi instrumentation, this one has that raw, unpolished Twee feel ! It's been a staple for indie dreamers for years

"Bee Hives" – Broken Social Scene

This is the softer, more atmospheric B-side collection from Broken Social Scene, with ambient, intimate tracks that feel like warm daydreams.

"69 Love Songs" – The Magnetic Fields

Known for both wit and melancholy, this 3-disc album covers a massive spectrum of styles and emotions. It's a true Twee treasure trove

"Twee as F*" – Various Artists (Fortuna Pop! Compilation)**

This compilation is a goldmine for Twee fans, with artists like Allo Darlin' and The Lucksmiths. It's great for sampling some iconic bands and getting lost in a jangly, retro soundscape.

"Feels" – Animal Collective

Experimental yet surprisingly cozy, Feels has a sense of wonder and adventure. It’s quirky and playful, perfect for the imaginative side of Twee.

"Songs for the General Public" – The Lemon Twigs

Retro-inspired pop rock with a theatrical twist. This album has enough storytelling and quirky hooks to keep it in Twee territory, with a modern flair.

"Past Life Martyred Saints" – EMA

This is on the rawer side of Twee but deeply introspective, with a bedroom-recorded, confessional vibe that feels both honest and aesthetic-driven.

"The Boy with the Arab Strap" – Belle and Sebastian

Dreamy, witty, and filled with richly crafted character stories, this album is quintessential Twee. Belle and Sebastian's light melodies and clever lyrics are a must.

"Vespertine" – Björk

Ethereal, tender, and layered with magical soundscapes. It’s like stepping into a daydream. A bit unconventional Twee, but its emotional depth and unique textures fit the vibe.

"Dear Catastrophe Waitress" – Belle and Sebastian

It’s an obvious choice, but if you’re missing this one, go back to it. Every track sounds like a scene out of a charming indie film, with that perfect mix of sweetness and introspective edge.

each of these albums can give you a different slice of the Twee universe, from raw lo-fi to storytelling

[allmusic]

AllMusic Staff Pick: Belle and Sebastian Dear Catastrophe Waitress

A surprisingly upbeat and poppy album from these twee Glaswegian songsmiths, largely attributable to producer Trevor Horn who helmed classic releases from ABC and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Where their previous records were intimate masterpieces of warm cardigans and aloof misery, Dear Catastrophe Waitress celebrates with sunny flutes, shining string sections, and odes to Mike Piazza.

- Zac Johnson

[sneek-m]

"I'm a Cuckoo" by Belle and Sebastian [Dear Catastrophe Waitress, 2003]

[noloveforned]

welcome to 2024! no love for ned is still here and still on wlur every friday night from 8pm until midnight! i was hoping to have a new theme set to go this week but we're going to stick with our fall 'food songs' for another week.

our last show of the year was the annual look back twenty years ago for our best of 2003 show (now streaming on mixcloud). if you enjoyed the show, you can also check out the previous nine retrospective shows spotlighting 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1993 (1994 will be produced later this year as a special a 30th anniversary show).

no love for ned on wlur – december 29th, 2023 from 8pm-midnight

artist // track // album // label the aislers set // languor in the balcony // how i learned to write backwards // slumberland shout out louds // the comeback // howl howl gaff gaff // bud fox matt suggs // calm down // amigo row // merge belle and sebastian // i'm a cuckoo // dear catastrophe waitress // rough trade the rosebuds // kicks in the schoolyard // make out // merge the lucksmiths // midweek midmorning // naturaliste // drive-in sprites // do it yourself // starling, spiders, tiger and sprites // march camera obscura // suspended from class // underachievers please try harder // elefant st. thomas // a long long time // hey harmony // racing junior bishop allen // little black ache // charm school // champagne school herman düne // why would that hurt? (if you never loved me) // mash concrete metal mushroom // shrimper bearsuit // itsuko got married // itsuko got married 7" // bearslut dressy bessy // baby six string // dressy bessy // kindercore the new pornographers // testament to youth in verse // electric version // matador all girl summer fun band // dear mr. and mrs. troublemaker // 2 // k david and the citizens // graycoated morning // until the sadness is gone // adrian saturday looks good to me // alcohol // all your summer songs // polyvinyl the essex green // the late great cassiopia // the long goodbye // merge beulah // landslide baby // yoko // velocette reclinerland // give up your film career (lenny's theme) // the ideal home music library // hush blanket music // hyper-ballad // read: interpreting bjork tribute // hush tobin sprout // doctor #8 // lost planets and phantom voices // mr. whiggs plastic mastery // i fell in love on the way to a funeral // sverige ep // 555 the thermals // no culture icons // more parts per million // sub pop rainer maria // mystery and misery // long knives drawn // polyvinyl joel plaskett emergency // extraordinary // truthfully truthfully // maple music sloan // false alarm // action pact // vik guided by voices // useless inventions // earthquake glue // matador deerhoof // dummy discards a heart // apple o' // kill rock stars lil' hospital // there could be girlfriend // i wanna be well // best friends the national splits // she's my baby and she's alright // fontana // mr. whiggs murder beach // eight great ways // first string teenage high- songs of tullycraft played by people who aren't tribute // bumblebear casiotone for the painfully alone // jeane, if you're ever in portland // twinkle echo // tomlab bobby birdman // i will come again // heart caves ep // states rights

erykah badu // back in the day // worldwide underground // motown the books // take time // the lemon of pink // tomlab nanang tatang // bunny hop hop // muki // tiger style so // a // so // thrill jockey piana // hide and seek // snow bird // happy broken social scene // anthems for a seventeen-year-old girl // you forgot it in people // arts and crafts califone // michigan girls // quicksand/cradlesnakes // thrill jockey the strugglers // the new room // the new room // tract magnolia electric co. // just be simple // the magnolia electric co. // secretly canadian crooked fingers // big darkness // red devil dawn // merge the trouble with sweeney // the break up // i know you destroy // burnt toast vinyl barzin // past all concerns // barzin // where are my azure ray // hold on love // hold on love // saddle creek seekonk // move // for barbara lee // kimchee sun kill moon // carry me ohio // ghosts of the great highway // jetset the american analog set // come home baby julie, come home // promise of love // tiger style the twilight singers // teenage wristband // blackberry belle // birdman spiritualized // she kissed me (it felt like a hit) // amazing grace // sanctuary the postal service // the district sleeps alone tonight // give up // sub pop her space holiday // my girlfriend's boyfriend // the young machines // mush styrofoam // a heart without a mind // i'm what's there to show that something's missing // morr music howard hello // my friend / the parasite // don't drink his blood // temporary residence pernice brothers // one foot in the grave // yours, mine and ours // ashmont the salteens // damn you // let go of your bad days // drive-in the unicorns // i was born (a unicorn) // who will cut our hair when we're gone? // alien8 the hidden cameras // ban marriage // the smell of our own // rough trade yo la tengo // today is the day // today is the day ep // matador