#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’

[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.

[alchemylive]

belle and sebastian dear catastrophe waitress album of all time ???

[besnail]

tagged by @tonyhangsaman ! i'm a playlist person so albums was kinda tough, in many ways it could have just been fiona apple's discography

[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.

[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

[raylangivins]

thank you for tagging me @fantasneeze! <3

rules: list your top 5 albums from your top 5 artists (can't have a repeat of the same artist) on a poll, so your followers can vote which album they think captures your vibe the best

tagging @jeanharlowseyebrows @big-barn-bed @faronnorth <3

[music-moon]

My most played albums released in the year 2003:

John Mayer - Heavier Things

Beyoncé - Dangerously in Love

Linkin Park - Meteora

Alicia Keys - The Diary of Alicia Keys

Mariah Carey - The Remixes

Deb Talan - A Bird Flies Out

The Weepies - Happiness

OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk

Belle and Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress

Data from last.fm + pythfm.

2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023 / 2024