Belle & Sebastian; `Books' Single Review Rough Trade Records

Having regained the public's attention with their latest album Dear Catastrophe Waitress' like a D-list celebrity entering a reality TV show, the quirky Glaswegians are not relenting with the brand new non album track Your Cover's Blown'. Flirting with the jazz genre the instrumentals are slow and jangling, providing a neat forum for Stuart Murdoch's funked up vocals featuring some well placed ooohhhs and aaahhhhhsss as backing, giving off the B & S feelgood vibe. The track builds up into a lively jive friendly number about not hiding away. This double AA side offering also sees the popular Wrapped Up In Books from the latest album that is as hook laden and upbeat as on of their most popular numbers The stars of track and field',

The single finishes off with an impressive six minute version of Your Covers Blown' that sees Stuart sounding more enthusiastic and sincere initially in a Simon and Garfunkle manner, then turning more brusque as the instrumentals pick up. Building on their popularity B & S are set to appear at Glastonbury this year with their relaxed stage presence and in between song banter that makes what Morecombe & Wise The Two Ronnies used to do, sound like a political debate. Surely there is not a better festival band out there, is there??

www.belleandsebastian.co.uk

Words: David Adair