Belle and Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian's first compilation of non-LP tracks, 2005's Push Barman to Open Old Wounds, was so consistent in terms of style and quality that it held up nicely against any of their releases. The same cannot be said for The Third Eye Centre, however, which sounds exactly like what it is: a hodgepodge of B-sides and experiments, many of them not good enough to be included on a proper full-length. At times, it sounds as if the group are playing genre roulette, awkwardly dabbling in bossa nova, reggae, skiffle and mariachi. Adding to the patchiness is the fact that primary frontman Stuart Murdoch sings less than half of these tracks. While there are some standout cuts — most notably the Avalanches' Afro remake of "I'm a Cuckoo" — much of The Third Eye Centre should have remained on the cutting room floor.