"God Help the Girl" Song Track review (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

As a huge Belle and Sebastian fan and also alas, an American fan I am waiting for "God Help the Girl" with the thought, "When am I ever going to see this movie?"  It looks absolutely gorgeous.

But I was thinking about B & S and it occurred to me, "When have they ever not done something that was not gorgeous?" Listen to the opening chords of their magnum opus, "If Your'e Feeling Sinister" and just allow yourself to be overwhelmed with beauty.

"God Help the Girl" is a project by Stuart Murdoch. The project was initially conceived as a concept album, that plays very much like a typical B & S record, except for the majority of the songs are sung by a female ensemble. This was released on Matador records in 2009.  As for what I think about the album it is a very great album and has a real sixties twinge to it, if that's your bag (like it's mine) I would highly recommend you check it out.  But this concept album, had always been intended to be a film.  So about two or so years ago, Murdoch finally found funding for the film via Kick starter.  This film debuted at Sundance and SXSW, and received amiable reviews from critics. The distribution company, amplify picked up distribution rights for the film. The movie is going to debut in August, in many towns in England with special footage from B & S, performing songs from the movie.  As for us in the States, I am not sure how we will be able to watch it. I did read somewhere that we could watch the film via satellite. If that's the case, I really would like to do so on the 16th!

ANYWAY....

All that background was necessary  to get to the debut track from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (set to be released in September).

Most people that are familiar with this project may be taken a back a little when hearing the titular song sung by Emily Browning (Series of Unfortunate Events)  It is true that the youthfulness of her and Hannah Murray (from Skins UK and Game of Thrones) is truly the essence of what I believe this project stood for. But the beauty and quirkiness of Catherine Ireton (who sung this song for the concept album) is still highly admired by myself.

The song does not deviate much from the concept album. There are some extra bells and whistles, and more instrumentation that are thrown in here and there. The song itself, sounds extra polished and glossy.

However, after many initial listens, I find myself really hooked into this song and by the cast. And it leaves me wanting more from the soundtrack. I think the song really grabs the dedicated B & S fan and possibly the more "hip-trendy" twee crowd.


RATING: 7/10
THE SHORT: The song loses a little appeal due to the high commerciality of the production. But the youthfulness and soul that Browning and Murray bring to the table is unmistakably beautiful.

Pickups.

Hey guys,

This is my music blog. Where I am going to post reviews, rants, all kinds of stuff in relation to music I dig.

For my first post, I am going to discuss one of my favorite places to go, The local record store.

I think the resurgence of the record store, is a great revival to be had. And I really enjoy going and picking up new records and CD's.

Recently, I went to Dallas and went to Good Records, on Greenville Ave.  and then went to Half Price Books in Dallas, as well-- Let me share some of my pickups:

-Dave Deeper, "The Ram Project"

RAM is my favorite album by Paul McCartney. So, when I saw this LP, I thought, hey why not I will pick it up and see what it sounds like. I should have waited until I got to my record player in West Texas, but I had to really check it out. The shop owner told me, "You are really going to like this." When I told him that RAM was my favorite album. So, when someone says that, it begs to be checked out. So I kind of cheated, and listened to it on Spotify. I think it's really awesome, doesn't really deviate from RAM but, I will review this album later.

-Belle and Sebastian, "Boy with the Arab Strap" (CD)

I really hoped that I could get this album on LP, but it wasn't available. So I picked up the CD copy instead, so I could listen to it in the car. It's no secret that I am a B & S fan, and I own several of their albums on LP, CD, etc.

-Mastersons, "Good Luck Charm"

Good stuff, so far..... Singer/Songwriter team from Austin.

-Jack White ,"Lazaretto"

I didn't own it, so I thought I might as well buy it.

- Dr. Dog, "B Room"

A fantastic album, I had to pick it up.

-Matador Sampler

A 12 inch sampler of Matador artists.

-The Doobie Brothers, "Toulouse Street"

A classic pick up, at Half Price. I love the Doobies even if they are a little over played and over cliched.

-Beatles, "Revolver"
Another classic pick up to add to my growing Beatles vinyl collection.

-Garden State Soundtrack  (CD)
I have this on my computer, but it was a dollar and I needed some more variety in the car.

-Wilco, Ghost is born (CD)
I have always enjoyed this album, so I am glad I have a physical copy now.