A Middle Distance Runner

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I could fill an entire blog with posts about B&S songs, the list never ends. But in the interest of not boring everyone to death I’m keeping it to my absolute favorites. Stuart Murdoch is an incredible poet and it’s a wonder they also come up with such beautiful music to accompany his words. Something that has always struck me about their recording style is the one-take nature they all seem to have (pre-The Life Pursuit albums at least). Not a ton of effects or production work, just them and their instruments. If you check them out live this fact becomes even more evident. Here’s a great video of them performing this song live.

I also love this cover, for obviously reasons. The type treatment is great and the color scheme is perfect. It’s definitely a break from the sort of duo-tone photos they typically feature on their covers, but this was just an EP and I think they might reserve those for the full albums most of the time. Sorry for the poor quality, I couldn’t find a proper scan of the cover anywhere.

Belle & Sebastian – The Loneliness Of  A Middle Distance Runner

[audio:lonerunner.mp3]

9 Comments

  1. So when are you going to do some work for them Scott ?

  2. Scott says:

    ha, I don’t think it’s quite that simple. besides, I am not sure my style would suit them, they’ve a decidedly restrained aesthetic that’s less graphic design and more photographic.

  3. Nice track… Remember good times.

  4. Your best point (ah, that’s subjective I know) is that you can set a mood, be it graphic design or more artsy stuff or even with your photographs.
    I think that set of moods you are working in can really work for B&S.

    For what it’s worth, I can see it work and pull both of you to a next stage 🙂

  5. kelly says:

    hiya scott!

    just dropping by to say hello. i was surfing yahoo today and saw this avatar that looked like you 🙂 hehe, enjoy!

    http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/cn/ans1/askmike2.jpg

  6. Kyle says:

    Fantastic band to see live. I saw them live a few years back with The New Pornographers, fantastic show.
    Their live show really highlights their lack of production.

  7. Kyle says:

    ….in a good way

  8. Hannah says:

    is that the band? or some characters from Clash of the Titans?

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