The Third Eye Centre

Since 1996’s Tigermilk, Belle and Sebastian have bewitched wallflowers everywhere with their wistful arrangements and evocative storytelling, marking them as a quintessential indie-pop act.

The Third Eye Centre is a compilation of b-sides, rarities and remixes from the past ten years, proving that these Glaswegians haven’t lost their startling ability to capture both the rushing infatuation and the crushing despondence of love.

With a total of 19 tracks and no rigorous structure, The Third Eye Centre is indisputably a mixed bag, but it’s never an arduous affair.

Album highlight “Suicide Girl” (a bonus track from 2010’s …Write About Love) is a racing, Smiths-inspired number telling a peculiar tale of unrequited love.

At the other end of the spectrum, “Last Trip” (another …Write About Love bonus track) is a rockin’ country-folk tune with a festive jingle sprinkled on top. It’s a little bit kitsch, but it’s also a prime example of the undying romantic inside of Murdoch.

Asides from The Avalanches cutesy take on “I’m A Cuckoo”, The Third Eye Centre falls victim to subpar remixes.

Miaoux Miaoux’s mix of the unreleased “Your Cover’s Blown” lacks cohesion whilst Richard X turns “I Didn’t See It Coming” into a corny, ‘80s club hit that even the Killers wouldn’t create. These remixes lack finesse, destroying the essence and appeal of Belle and Sebastian.

This aside, The Third Eye Centre is an enjoyable addition to Belle and Sebastian’s vast discography. It’s vibrant yet melancholy, humorous yet profound, the ideal music for a Sunday afternoon.

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