Those wacky Belle & Sebastian kids, apparently killing time between exceedingly sensitive art-pop albums, toss out a smirking ode to legal professionals that's awash in fake sitar licks and chipper Mamas & the Papas harmonies. Along with the title track, we also get the thankfully instrumental "Judy Is a Dick Slap" and the Bacharach-tinged "Winter Wooskie." The latter, with its wistful piano, airy vocals, and innocent penny whistle, is the closest thing to what we've come to expect from the U.K.'s most refined pop band. On reflection, this EP is a bit of a throwaway, really, but if you're a Belle & Sebastian fan, you'll want to own it. --Bill Forman
Review by Marc Gilman
I must admit that I have no idea what a "Legal Man" is-a pimp, a policeman, a meter maid? I'm clueless. This knowledge, however, is not necessary to enjoying this single. "Legal Man" find Belle and Sebastian picking up on the 60's pop sound of "Lazy Line Painter Jane" complete with backing female vocalists The Maisonettes and, strangely, a sitar. An odd combination, but it works. The second track "Judy is a Dick Slap," is perhaps the funniest B&S song ever. Mainly because of it's rather, er, attention getting title, but subsequent lack of vocals. This, the first instrumental song by the band, is also an excellent joke. The final song, "Winter Wooskie" is a slower more tear-jerking ballad, but humorous as well-the object of the singers' affection nearly sleeping though his ode. This record shows the band going forward, albeit in many different directions at once. Clearly there is some "growing" going on here, but it all seems a welcome step for the band.
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