Belle & Sebastian – Dear Catastrophe Waitress

'Dear Catastrophe Waitress' is the Trevor Horn produced sixth studio album from 2003. Chief songwriter Stuart Murdoch had clearly been listening to a lot of Randy Newman and Joe Jackson, along with a touch of Thin Lizzy, and Horn manages to meld these new influences with the trademark Belle and Sebastian sound.

'Step into My Office Baby' is orchestral pop with a cheeky, almost raucous bent. 'If She Wants Me' pulls off a flirtation with Orange Juice-style funk, while 'Stay Loose' could be Squeeze covering 'Space Oddity'. On the more traditional Belle and Sebastian songs (the title track, 'Wrapped Up in Books', live favourite 'Lord Anthony'), the ante is upped simply by the quality of songwriting, which is a match for anything from the 'Tigermilk' glory days.

TRACKLIST

Side 1 
Step into My Office, Baby 
Dear Catastrophe Waitress 
If She Wants Me 

Side 2 
Piazza, New York Catcher 
Asleep on a Sunbeam 
I'm a Cuckoo 

Side 3 
You Don't Send Me 
Wrapped Up in Books
Lord Anthony 

Side 4 
If You Find Yourself Caught in Love
Roy Walker
Stay Loose