• Belle & Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian's Steven Jackson and Stuart Murdoch
Photo: MTV News

Ten years ago, when Belle and Sebastian's If You're Feeling Sinister took the indie-rock scene by storm, the Scottish group assumed a reclusive posture. The band avoided interviews and photo shoots, creating an elusive mystique. In performance, B&S were, frankly, a mess; confidence was never their greatest attribute.

Fast-forward to present day: Belle and Sebastian are releasing self-assured pop records, gamely courting press coverage, actually appearing in their videos, and making serious inroads in touring the U.S. behind their latest album, The Life Pursuit.

The turning point, according to members of the band, came in the summer of 2001. "We started getting our live [act] together and everything started to change at once," guitarist Stevie Jackson said. After years of false starts, the band was attempting to be a professional entity, even agreeing to write and record the score for Todd Solondz's film "Storytelling." "We changed record labels, personnel, attitude, everything," Jackson said.

It became apparent around that time that singer/ violinist/ founding member Isobel Campbell wasn't going to come along for the ride. "I don't think that Isobel was ever totally comfortable ... and then [she] left," Jackson said. "[That decision] cemented into a situation where everyone in the group wanted to be there."

In 2003 the band made a musical left turn with Dear Catastrophe Waitress — a shimmering record put into sharp focus by '80s synth-pop producer Trevor Horn (Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Art of Noise) — and never looked back.

While Waitress was a poised rebirth, the band's obsessive fanbase was divided: One faction loved the album's renewed energy and verve, while the other yearned for the bittersweet folk of If You're Feeling Sinister and the three albums in between.

On The Life Pursuit, B&S have continued in the vein of Waitress. While the band's storied preciousness is hardly expunged, the album explores wry, character-based vignettes ("Sukie in the Graveyard," "White Collar Boy") with infusions of British soul, Motown, '70s soft rock, glam and buoyant '80s pop.

"You've got to look them straight in the eye, and say, 'We know what's best for you,' " laughed lead singer Stuart Murdoch of his hesitant fans. " 'You loved our first record, you'll love this one. Just give it a chance.' "

Pursuit was produced by Tony Hoffer, best known for working with Air and Beck. It's only the second time Belle and Sebastian have ceded production duties to an outsider, but, according to Murdoch, it's also "the first time we didn't feel like killing each other or going straight to [writing] a new record" afterward.

The goal for Pursuit, aside from pop perfection, was to make people want to dance — an objective not previously associated with B&S. "I wanted to make a record where the songs could stand up to the records we loved on the dance floor while keeping the strong and punchy melodies," Murdoch explained.

Ultimately, the band's goal is to challenge apathy. "It would be totally [horrific] if people went, 'Yeah, another Belle and Sebastian record,' " Jackson said with mock indifference.

In a move that further confounds expectations of longtime fans, B&S recently shot videos for "Blues Are Still Blues" and "Funny Little Frog," and they're even toying with the notion of shooting a clip for every song from Pursuit.

The last year has seen a deluge of Belle and Sebastian arcana, including a biography ("Belle and Sebastian: Just a Modern Rock Story"), a comic book ("Put the Book Back on the Shelf: A Belle and Sebastian Anthology"), and three CDs (Pursuit, the concert album If You're Feeling Sinister: Live at the Barbican and an entry in the mixtape series LateNightTales). It's fair to say that such multiplatform carrying-on would be anathema to the Belle and Sebastian of 1996.

"I never thought of a vaudevillian future," Murdoch said. "I thought we'd stay in our bedrooms and make one record, maybe two. So this is all a constant surprise."

Belle and Sebastian tour dates with the New Pornographers, according to Matador records:

• 3/10 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera
• 3/11 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre
• 3/12 - Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
• 3/14 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
• 3/15 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's (Matador SXSW showcase)
• 3/18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern
• 3/19 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern
• 3/21 - San Francisco, CA @ Concourse at the SF Design Center
• 3/23 - Portland, OR @ Roseland
• 3/25 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre

• Belle & Sebastian

<i>Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies From the Film "Curious George"</i>
Photo: Universal

See Jack Sing: Jack Johnson's curious transmutation into children's-music performer might turn off some fans, but it hasn't alienated his friends Ben Harper, Matt Costa and G. Love, all of whom croon along on Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies From the Film "Curious George." Jack runs through the "Schoolhouse Rock" staple "Three Is a Magic Number" — reconfigured as a lesson in environmentalism, with the three R's being reduce, reuse and recycle — and, more curiously, the White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends."

Not-So-Everyday People: Different Strokes by Different Folks is more of a various-artists tribute to Sly & the Family Stone, but chances are you'll find it under "S," not "VA," in the CD bins. With rumors swirling about the long-dormant Sly resurfacing at the Grammys, some of today's biggest names have been wise to show their affection in advance: Big Boi ("Runnin' Away" and "[You Caught Me] Smilin' "), Will.I.Am ("Dance to the Music"), Maroon 5 ("Everyday People"), John Mayer ("You Can Make It if You Try"), Joss Stone ("Family Affair") and the Roots ("Star"). Groovy.

Dem's Deluxe: After hooking up with Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat and Bow Wow for the So So Def remix of "I Think They Like Me," Dem Franchize Boyz could be ATL's top commodity in early '06. They ride into record stores in style with a deluxe edition of On Top of Our Game, which is supplemented with a DVD featuring videos for the "I Think They Like Me" remix and "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" (featuring Peanut and Charlay); a live performance; behind-the-scenes footage; and two bonus audio cuts, "My Girlfriend" and "Super Clean."

Orton's O'Rourke-ian Twist: For her fourth record, Beth Orton ganged up with Sonic Youth laptop whiz Jim O'Rourke — but don't expect many embellishments, as Orton keeps her songs spare throughout Comfort of Strangers. The limited edition comes with a bonus disc boasting five tracks: "What We Begin," "On My Way Home," "Comfort of Strangers #9," "Did Somebody Make a Fool Outta You ... ?" and "Northern Sky."

Religious Awakening: Christianity seeps into Belle and Sebastian's seventh effort, The Life Pursuit, on parts one and two of "Act of the Apostle Part 1," which centers around a girl who dreams about the Old Testament. (A limited deluxe edition is bundled with a six-track live DVD and comes with hardbound book packaging.)

There are even more titular nods to Big Brother on the second volume of the "Elizabethtown" soundtrack, which finds Rachael Yamagata chipping in "Jesus Was a Crossmaker," and Washington Phillips wondering "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today." (Also featured: My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams, Ulrich Schnauss and Pinback.) And on another soundtrack — for "Transamerica" — the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band nestle "I Find Jesus" alongside cuts by Duncan Sheik, Lucinda Williams and Dolly Parton.

If you're familiar with Chick Corea, it's probably because of his legendary piano playing or collaborative performance with the Foo Fighters at the 2004 Grammys. But you probably didn't know Corea is a devout Scientologist, a fact he makes no bones about on his latest CD. Based on a 1939 novella by L. Ron Hubbard, The Ultimate Adventure is about a homeless man who is transported to the mythical City of Brass from "Arabian Nights" and finds himself living among alien races like the Jinns, Ifrits and Ghouls. Try making a soundtrack to that.

Conga expert Miguel Angá Díaz provides a "musical religious service" on Echu Mingua, an album he named after his Yoruba saint. (Yoruba being an ancient African religion that worships multiple deities known as Orishas.) He's joined by everyone from Chucho Valdés to French hip-hop artists to a West African kora musician.

And last but not least, Hamell on Trial lace their latest, Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs, with a particularly blasphemous song about President Bush performing sexual acts with the Bible.

Song Title Of The Week:

"Matrimonioids (For: Elvin + Susana Estela)" from Prefuse 73's Security Screenings

Other Notables:

Various artists' To: Elliott - From: Portland: Although a tribute to Elliott Smith might seem premature, this salute is more personal than meets the eye. Eric Matthews, who covers "Needle in the Hay," actually played on an unreleased version of the track with Smith; "Hard Times" is performed by Sean Croghan, a former roommate of Smith's; and the Thermals recorded "Ballad of Big Nothing" with Smith's ex-girlfriend Joanna Bolme at Jackpot Studios, which Smith had a hand in constructing. Past renditions by the Decemberists, Swords and the Helio Sequence help flesh out the 15-track set.

In Flames' Come Clarity: Ferret Music is bolstering the promotion behind one of its biggest acts, underground metal titans In Flames, in style. Various stores are offering free patches, tour samplers, posters and more with purchase of the CD — and in one of the more unique offers, Denver's Independent Records gives you two bucks off the disc if you show them your concert-ticket stub. There's also a special edition with a bonus DVD of rehearsal footage floating around.

Rick Moranis' The Agoraphobic Cowboy: Yes, you're reading right — that's actor Rick Moranis, last heard on the "Little Shop of Horrors" soundtrack, cowboying up with his country best on The Agoraphobic Cowboy. Equally inspired by his love of Ray Stevens and his recent exposure to Widespread Panic, Moranis' effort was previously released online but is finally hitting stores this week. Giving Cowboy an extra layer of bizarreness, the album has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Comedy Album.

New Releases:

• Aceyalone (accompanied by RJD2) - Magnificent City (Decon Inc.)
• AM Syndicate - Empire (Sickroom)
• AV Club - AV Club (Insubordination)
• The Avett Brothers - Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions (Ramseur)
• Sibylle Baier - Colour Green (Orange Twin)
• Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (Matador)
• Layzie Bone & Young Noble - Thug Brothers (Real Talk)
• Pat Boone - Hopeless Romantic (Gold Label)
• Burst - Origo (Relapse)
• Century - Faith and Failure (Tribunal)
• The Chuck Norris Experiment - The Chuck Norris Experiment (Devil Doll)
• Clogs - Lantern (Brassland)
• Jason Collett - Idols of Exile (Arts & Crafts)
• The Coors - Home (Atlantic/Rhino)
• Chick Corea - The Ultimate Adventure (Stretch)
• Cross Culture - Proof Positive (Selectric)
• The Danger O's - Little Machines (EP; Blackout)
• Deadboy and the Elephantman - We Are Night Sky (Fat Possum)
• De/Vision - Subkutan (Dancing Ferret)
• Jack DeJohnette - The Elephant Sleeps but Still Remembers (Kindred Rhythm)
• Dem Franchize Boyz - On Top of Our Game (deluxe edition with DVD also available; Virgin)
  Buy Now: On Top of Our Game (Virgin)
• DJ Reflex - Sandunga Music (Cutting)
• Fefe Dobson - Sunday Love (enhanced; Island)
  Buy Now: Sunday Love (Island)
• Electric Six - Señor Smoke (Metropolis)
• Eyes of Fire - Prisons (enhanced; Century Media)
• Jen Foster - The Underdogs (American Garage Recorded Entertainment)
• Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebezeit - Secret Rhythms, Vol. 2 (Nonplace)
• Gastr Del Sol - Harp Factory on Lake Street (Table of Elements)
• Gates - The Dew Line (Table of Elements)
• A Global Threat - Where the Sun Never Sets (BYO)
• Hamell on Trial - Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs (Righteous Babe)
• Sarah Harmer - I'm a Mountain (Zöe/Rounder)
• Hem - No Word From Tom (Nettwerk)
• Himsa - Hail Horror (Prosthetic)
• Brotha Lynch Hung & MC Eiht - The New Season (Real Talk)
• Charlie Hunter Trio - Copperopolis (Rope-a-Dope)
• In Flames - Come Clarity (special edition due same day; Ferret)
• Elton John - "Billy Elliot: The Musical" original cast recording (Decca)
• Jack Johnson and Friends - Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies from the Film "Curious George" (Universal)
  Read: "Jack Johnson Says 'Curious George' Shouldn't Monkey Around With Adult Themes"
• Matson Jones - The Albatross Mates for Life, but Only After a Lengthy Courtship That Can Take Up to Four Years (EP; Sympathy for the Record Industry)
• The Ladies - They Mean Us (Temporary Residence)
• Latrice - Illuminate (Ultra)
• Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers - Pandelirium (Yep Roc)
• Lesbians on Ecstasy - Giggles in the Dark (Alien 8)
• Jackie Leven - Shining Brother Shining Sister (Silverline)
• Lil Al - Hood Raised (SMC)
• Lil Uno - The Streets (Toltec)
• Lokyata - Purified by Anger (Indianola)
• Jason Miles - What's Going On? Songs of Marvin Gaye (Narada)
• The Minus 5 - The Minus 5 (Yep Roc)
• Misstress Barbara - Come With Me ... (Uncivilized World/ Koch)
• Rick Moranis - The Agoraphobic Cowboy (Artistshare)
• Cindy Morgan - Postcards (Reunion)
• Monday Morning - Fool's Paradise (enhanced; Selectric)
• Mr. Pookie - Return of Tha Rippla (Boss Entertainment)
• Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll (Red Ink)
• Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day (DualDisc; Columbia)
• Oceansize - Everyone Into Position (Beggars Banquet)
• Beth Orton - Comfort of Strangers (limited edition with bonus disc also available; Astralwerks)
• Penuckle - The Sun Beckons (Red Urban)
• Prefuse 73 - Security Screenings (Warp)
• Psychic Ills - Dins (The Social Registry)
• San Quinn - The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds (SMC)
• Remy Ma - There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story (limited edition also available; SRC/Universal)
• Sherri Roberts, Phil Woods and Lew Soloff - The Sky Could Send You (Pacific Coast Jazz)
• Ray Russell - Goodbye Svengali (Cuneiform)
• Shrift - Lost in a Moment (Six Degrees)
• Slowride - C/S (Deep Elm)
• Sly & the Family Stone - Different Strokes by Different Folks (Epic/Legacy)
• Small Arms Dealer - A Single Unifying Theory (Deep Elm)
• Southcott - Flee the Scene (Rust)
• State Radio - Us Against the Crown (Nettwerk)
• Kelley Stoltz - Below the Branches (Sub Pop)
• The String Cheese Incident - On the Road: Big Summer Classic, On the Road: Fall 2005, On the Road: Spring 2005 and On the Road: Vegoose 2005 (Nettwerk)
• Stroke 9 - Cafe Cuts: A Collection of Acoustic Favorites (Rock Ridge)
• Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives - Live at the Ryman (Universal South)
• Swearing at Motorists - Last Night Becomes This Morning (Secretly Canadian)
• Telepathe - Farewell Forest (EP; The Social Registry)
• The Thrillseekers - Night Music Volume One (Water)
• Bill Toms & Hard Rain - The West End Kid (B.T.)
• KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope (Virgin)
• Univers Zero - Live (Cuneiform)
• Jason Whitton - Thriftstore Cowboy (VAVV)
• The Mary Lou Williams Collective - Zodiac Suite: Revisited (Mary)
• Joachim Witt - Bayreuth 3 (Dancing Ferret)
• Various artists - Hi Power 2006 (Thump)
• Various artists - Idol Tryouts Two (Ghostly International)
• Various artists - Lowrider 2006 Tour (Thump)
• Various artists - Mews Too: An Asthmatic Kitty Compilation (Asthmatic Kitty)
• Various artists - New Arrivals, Vol. 1 (Mpress)
• Various artists - Run the Road Volume 2 (Vice)
• Various artists - To: Elliott - From: Portland (Expunged)
• Various artists - Totally Country Vol. 5 (BMG Heritage)
• Various artists - "Elizabethtown, Vol. 2" soundtrack (RCA)
• Various artists - "One Tree Hill Volume Two: Friends With Benefit" soundtrack (Maverick)
• Various artists - "Transamerica" soundtrack (Nettwerk)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Art Blakey - Live! At Slug's N.Y.C. (Empire Musicwerks)
• Richard Cheese - The Sunny Side of the Moon: The Best of Richard Cheese (Surfdog)
• Chamillionaire - The Sound of Revenge (special edition with bonus DVD; Universal)
• The Bob Crewe Generation - The Best of the Bob Crewe Generation: Music to Watch Girls By (Varèse)
• Ray Davies - The Storyteller (Koch)
• Dave Douglas - Keystone (Koch)
• John Entwistle - Mad Dog, The Rock and Too Late the Hero (Sanctuary)
• José Feliciano - Introduction to José Feliciano (Fuel 2000)
• Roberta Flack - The Very Best of Roberta Flack (Rhino)
• Dexter Gordon - Getting Around - RVG Series (Blue Note)
• Andrew Hill - Smokestack - RVG Series (Blue Note)
• Mastodon - Call of the Mastodon (Relapse)
• Hank Mobley - Workout - RVG Series (Blue Note)
• Lee Morgan - The Gigolo - RVG Series (Blue Note)
• Pérez Prado - The Best of P#233;rez Prado: The Original Mambo # 5 (RCA Victor/ Legacy)
• The Prodigy - Their Law: Singles 1990-2005 (XL/Beggars)
  Buy Now: Their Law: Singles 1990-2005 (XL/Beggars)
• Remembering Never - Suffocates My Words to You (One Day Savior)
• Satyricon - Dark Medieval Times (The End)
• Horace Silver - Horace-Scope - RVG Series (Blue Note)
• Nat Stuckey - The Very Best of Nat Stuckey (Koch)
• Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee - An Introduction to Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee (Fuel 2000)
• Richard Thompson - The Life and Music of Richard Thompson (five CDs; Free Reed)
• Stanley Turrentine - Joyride - RVG Series (Blue Note)
• Whitesnake - The Definitive Collection (Geffen)
• Trisha Yearwood - Jasper County (MCA Nashville)
• Various artists - Electro Slash Disco: Underground 80's Dance Floor Sounds (Koch)
• Various artists - Lost Classics of Salsa, Vol. II (Libertad)
• Various artists - Sleepless in Seattle: The Birth of Grunge (High Wire)
• Various artists - "Golden Boy" original Broadway cast recording (DRG)

DVDs:

• Jim Brickman - "Jim Brickman at the Magic Kingdom: The Disney Songbook" (Disney)
• The Crown - "14 Years of No Tomorrow" (three DVDs; Metal Blade)
• Bireli Lagrene and Gipsy Project "Live in Paris" (Dreyfus)
• Mint Condition - "Live From the 9:30 Club" (Image Entertainment)
• The Prodigy - "Their Law: Singles 1990-2005" (XL/Beggars)
• Sasha & John Digweed - "Delta Heavy" (System)
• The Sugarcubes - "Live Zabor" and "The DVD" (Rhino)
• Andrew W.K. - "Who Knows? Live 1992-2004" (Music Video Distributors)
• Whitesnake - "Live in the Still of the Night" (with CD; Hip-O)
• Various artists - "Blow! Volume 5: Pushin' the Raw and Uncut" (Inner City)
• Various artists - "Champions in Action: Volume 1," "Volume 2" and "Volume 3" (Music Video Distributors)
• Various artists - "Don Diva Presents: A Gangster's Story" (Don Diva)
• Various artists - "Don Vito Presents: Crunk and Famous" (Koch Vision)
• Various artists - "Fresh 96: 10th Anniversary Special Edition, Part One" and "Part Two" (Music Video Distributors)
• Various artists - "Gotta Serve Somebody: Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan" (Image Entertainment)
• Various artists - "GT Extravaganza Singers" (Music Video Distributors)
• Various artists - "Hustle Up Latino" (Hustle Up)
• Various artists - "Punk Is Dead" (Image Entertainment)
• Various artists - "Scribble Jam: Archive Number 2" (Scribble Jam)
• Various artists - "Street Heat Hood Fights" (Cornbread)
• Various artists - "Street Heat, Volume 16: Young Jeezy" (Cornbread)
• Various artists - "Tribunal Records: The Video Collection" (Tribunal)

Coming Attractions:

February 14:

• Jaheim - Ghetto Classics (Warner Bros.)
• Sergio Mendes - Timeless (Concord)
  Read: "Will.I.Am Wants To Pull A Rick Rubin With Sergio Mendes, Macy Gray"
• The Sword - Age of Winters (Kemado)

February 21:

• Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Domino)
  Read: "You Hear It First: Arctic Monkeys"
  Buy Now: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Domino)
• Ray Davies - Other People's Lives (V2)
• William Orbit - Hello Waveforms (Sanctuary)

February 28:

• Hawthorne Heights - If Only You Were Lonely (Victory)
• Kid Rock - Live Trucker (Atlantic)
• Ne-Yo - In My Own Words (Def Jam)
  Read: "You Hear It First: Jay-Z's Picks"

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• Jack Johnson
• Dem Franchize Boyz
• Sly & the Family Stone
• Remy Ma
• Chamillionaire

Belle & Sebastian
Photo: Matador Records

Downtrodden left-coast indie rockers finally have something to smile about. Heartfelt twee collective Belle and Sebastian will embark on their first West Coast tour in September.

The college-radio darlings, whose discography dates back to 1996's Tigermilk, begin their trek into uncharted territory September 6 in Los Angeles, according to a Matador Records spokesperson. Four other cities are confirmed destinations, ending with a Seattle gig September 14 (although a couple more West Coast shows are likely to extend the routing). Two Brazil shows are scheduled for October.

Belle and Sebastian plan to follow their most recent release, the Jonathan David EP, which dropped in June, with an as-yet-untitled EP expected to surface before the end of the year (see "Belle And Sebastian Plan Two EPs, U.S. Tour").

The band is also polishing off work on the soundtrack to director Todd Solondz's film "Storytelling" (see "Belle And Sebastian Add Film Scoring To Repertoire"). The LP, scheduled for a fall release, contains four new vocal tracks and songs inspired by the film (though not part of its score). "Storytelling" is expected to hit theaters in February.

Belle and Sebastian are once again an eight-member group following the permanent addition of multiinstrumentalist Bobby Kildea. In July, Kildea replaced original bassist Stuart David, who left last year to pursue his Looper project full time. David is working on the follow-up to Looper's second album, The Geometrid, released last year. The as-yet-untitled offering is expected in 2002, according to a Mute Records spokesperson.

Belle And Sebastian tour dates, according to Matador Records:

• 9/6 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
• 9/8 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
• 9/11 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
• 9/13 - Vancouver, BC @ Croatian Cultural Center
• 9/14 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre

• Belle & Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian
Photo: Matador/DNA

Scottish collective Belle and Sebastian are planning to release two EPs before the end of the summer and have a tour planned for later this year.

The first, Jonathan David, is slated for a June 12 release, according to a Matador Records spokesperson, and comprises the previously unreleased songs "Take Your Carriage Clock and Shove It," "The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner" and the title track, sung by guitarist Stevie Jackson. The EP's cover will feature a photo of trumpeter/bassist Mick Cooke taken by singer/guitarist Stuart Murdoch.

A video for "Jonathan David" is likely to be shot in the band's hometown of Glasgow May 19 and 20, the group's U.K. spokesperson said. In the meantime, the band is considering a director for the clip.

No title, track listing or release date has been set for the second EP.

A Stateside visit for the indie icons is in the works for late summer or early autumn. Although an itinerary hasn't been finalized, the U.K. spokesperson expects all the shows will take place on the West Coast. In February, Belle and Sebastian were in New York laying down several tracks for the soundtrack to writer/director Todd Solondz's film "Storytelling," which is scheduled to hit theaters in October (see "Belle And Sebastian Add Film Scoring To Repetoire"). The film stars Heather Matarazzo, featured in Solondz's 1995 flick "Welcome to the Dollhouse," and James Van Der Beek of TV's "Dawson's Creek" fame.

• Belle & Sebastian

Belle & Sebastian
Photo: Matador/DNA

Scottish indie darlings Belle & Sebastian have scored the upcoming film "Storytelling" — well, at least half of it.

The movie, starring James Van Der Beek ("Varsity Blues") and Selma Blair ("Cruel Intentions"), is divided into two acts, with former Shudder to Think guitarist Nathan Larson providing music for the first and Belle & Sebastian for the second, according to a representative for the band.

"Storytelling," directed by Todd Solondz ("Happiness"), focuses on high school and college life. Both the movie and album are due in October. The film marks Belle & Sebastian's first stab at scoring. The experienced Larson has handled duties on the movies "Boys Don't Cry," "Bust" and "Tigerland." Belle & Sebastian, who released Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant last year, are currently in a Glasgow, Scotland, studio recording a pair of singles for summer release, according to a posting on the group's official Web site that was confirmed by the band's representative.

• Belle & Sebastian

Reclusive Scottish band Belle And Sebastian had one of the highest-charting debuts on this week's SoundScan sales charts, landing at number 80 by selling almost 17,000 copies of its new album, "Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant."

Considering the band's decision to avoid most interviews and media requests, the first- week push is quite a feat, especially considering that Belle And Sebastian's 1998 critical breakthrough, "The Boy With The Arab Strap," has sold a little more than 84,000 copies.

While American fans anxiously wait for word if Belle And Sebastian will play a few gigs here in the States, the group has issued a video for the first single from the record, "The Wrong Girl," which drummer Richard Colburn discussed during a recent interview with MTV News.

"It was [guitarist] Stevie [Jackson's] song," Colburn said, "and the song's more or less about him growing up and [making the] wrong choices in female partners and stuff like that. [Laughs]

"[We did the video] with a friend of our called Lance Bangs, who's done quite a bit," Colburn continued, he said. "It comes across as the song does, as a complete story from him being born to him now, so I think it's worked out quite well." [RealAudio]

In addition to "The Wrong Girl," Belle And Sebastian has also just issued a stand-alone three-song single, "Legal Man," which has sold more than 10,000 copies since its release last month.

• Belle & Sebastian

After drawing critical praise and massive college radio support for its last two albums, 1996's "If You're Feeling Sinister" and 1998's "The Boy With The Arab Strap," the mysterious Glaswegian band known as Belle And Sebastian has emerged with a new record, "Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant," which will be issued in America on June 6.

Since forming in 1995, the members of Belle And Sebastian have tended to keep themselves in relative seclusion, playing only a handful of shows in the U.S. and Europe, and have avoided most media requests and interviews -- all while releasing some of the most delicately crafted, emotion-laden chamber pop of the last decade.

Because of the Stateside success of "The Boy With The Arab Strap," which was cited by "Rolling Stone" magazine as one of its Essential Recordings Of The '90s, the band has decided to open itself up and actually submit to promotional interviews in support of "Fold Your Hands."

MTV News recently chatted with Belle And Sebastian drummer Richard Colburn, who talked about why the band has chosen to avoid the media spotlight for so long as well as the meaning behind the lugubriously wordy title of its new album.

"It's funny, because I don't know what it means at all," Colburn admitted. Colburn continued, "but I don't think too many people know what it means, if it means anything at all, specifically. I just think it was quite a cool sort of phrase." [RealAudio]

As for the band's reclusiveness, Colburn said that it was a choice that he, Murdoch, and bandmates Isobel Campbell, Chris Geddes, Stevie Jackson, Sarah Martin, and Stuart David (who has since left the group to devote himself to his own band, Looper) made when they first formed Belle And Sebastian, although he said it has led to some bizarre rumors about the group.

"[The biggest misconception] is the whole cult thing," Colburn said, he added. "We're totally approachable, but we didn't do interviews for one reason or another, and it's our own fault, in a way, for not coming across in the media and stuff. But that was the way we were working at the time, and we'll probably do that again after [this], 'cause we've done a lot of interviews lately." [RealAudio]

Belle And Sebastian has already shot a video with director Lance Bangs for "The Wrong Girl," the first U.S. single from "Fold Your Hands," while Campbell has helmed the clip for the band's separate "Legal Man" single.

• Belle & Sebastian