album · September 7, 1998

The Boy with the Arab Strap

Belle and Sebastian

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Jeepster Recordings LtdSee this day

indie rockalternative

Belle and Sebastian follow up their celebrated debut with another collection of their signature literate, melodic indie pop. "The Boy with the Arab Strap" is a more confident and varied statement, featuring sharper arrangements and a wider emotional range.

• The album reached number 12 on the UK Albums Chart.
• The title track, "The Boy with the Arab Strap," became one of the band's most enduring singles.
• NME called the album "a triumph" upon its release.

Belle and Sebastian are a Scottish indie pop band formed in Glasgow in 1996. They are known for their literate, whimsical, and often melancholic songs. At the time of "The Boy with the Arab Strap," they were riding a wave of critical acclaim following their 1996 debut, solidifying their place as indie darlings.