Belle and Sebastian: "The BBC Sessions" Out in November

The BBC Sessions, a collection of recordings by Belle and Sebastian from 1996 through 2001, will be released on November 18th through Matador records. The 2-disc album will feature tracks from live radio recordings for Mark Radcliffe, Steve Lamacg, and John Peel.

Four songs for Peel, recorded in 2001, have never been released on CD or vinyl--though they've been constantly bootlegged and are infamous for being the last studio recordings with Isobel Campbell. "The Magic of a Kind Word," "Nothing in the Silence," Shoot the Sexual Athlete," and "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" will all be officially released for the first time on The BBC Sessions.

Additionally, the compilation contains a live 2001 Belfast Christmas show which features covers such as The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," The Velvets' "I'm Waiting for the Man," and Thin Lizzy's "Boys Are Back in Town." Other highlights of the album include alternate versions of "The Wrong Girl" and "Lazy Line Painter Jane."

All in all, "the album tracks the group's development" from 1996 to 2001, and frankly showcases the sheer talent contained within Belle and Sebastian. I'll try to have a review up soon. In the mean time, I will say this: Don't write this off as another manufactured collection of songs the band is trying to sell to you again--this is worth your money. This is big.