Belle and Sebastian Write About Love

Belle and Sebastian Write about Love is the eighth studio album by indie pop group Belle and Sebastian, released on 11 October 2010. It was the second collaboration between the band and Tony Hoffer, who had produced their previous album, The Life Pursuit.

History

The album was first referenced by the group in early 2010, when they mentioned in the Q&A section of their official website that they had recently visited Los Angeles, California, to record. In a follow-up question, Stuart Murdoch confirmed that producer Tony Hoffer had returned to produce. The album's title was officially announced by Murdoch in a posting on the band's website on 11 August 2010, and he revealed the album cover and release dates, as well as a clip of a planned Belle and Sebastian television show, on 16 August.
Two tracks from the album were played by the band during their 2010 tour: "I Didn't See It Coming", a duet featuring Sarah Martin and Stuart Murdoch on vocals, and "I'm Not Living in the Real World", which features Stevie Jackson on lead vocals. On 16 August 2010, another track was announced, titled "I Want the World to Stop". Norah Jones is featured on the track "Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John", which was also included on Jones' compilation album ...Featuring Norah Jones, released one month after Write About Love.
On 3 September 2010, the names of five new songs set to feature on the album were shown during the credits of the promotional Belle and Sebastian TV programme: "Blue Eyes of a Millionaire", "Suicide Girl", and "I Can See Your Future", as well as "The Telephone Song" and "If I Can't Help Myself". Of these songs, only "I Can See Your Future" ended up on the album, though "Blue Eyes of a Millionaire" and "Suicide Girl" were included as bonus tracks on some editions.

Release

The title track was announced as the lead single from the album, and was also released as a free download from the band's website for a limited-time. The single was released in the US iTunes Store on 7 September 2010, with a worldwide release on 25 September. "I Want the World to Stop" topped Allaccess.com's "Impacting Songs" US radio chart on 5 October 2010.
On 18 June 2011, they released Come on Sister EP featuring remixed versions of the titular songs along with the song "Blue Eyes of a Millionaire". The cover features Katie Alcock photographed by Stuart Murdoch. The EP charted in the UK Physical Singles Chart, peaking at number 13.

Commercial performance

Its first week of release, the album entered the UK Albums Chart, where it peaked at number 8, the band's highest placement on the chart. Additionally, the album topped the UK Independent Albums chart, and "I Didn't See It Coming" entered the UK Independent Singles chart at number 38. The album reached number 21 in Ireland, the band's highest placement in that country until their next album. In the United States, Write About Love peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200, the band's highest placement on the chart, while it entered the Italian albums chart at number 65, nine spots lower than The Life Pursuit, which had reached number 56.
In 2011, the album was awarded a silver certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, indicating sales of at least 20,000 copies throughout Europe. As of 2014, it has sold 68,199 copies in United States.

Personnel

Norah Jones – vocals
Carey Mulligan – vocals
Mick Cooke – arranger
Sarah Martin – arranger
Tony Hoffer – producer, mixing, programming
Todd Burke – engineer
Cameron Lister – assistant engineer
Frank Arkwright – mastering
Stuart Murdoch – vocals, liner notes, photography
Marisa Privitera – assistant
Seth Mitchell – guest guitar
Eric Gorfain – violin, conductor
Daphne Chen – violin
Melissa Reiner – violin
Amy Wickman – violin
Wes Precourt – violin
Lauren Chipman – viola
Richard Dodd – cello
Matt Cooker – cello
John Krovoza – cello
Noah Gladstone – trombone
Bruce Otto – bass trombone
Stephanie Stetson – French horn
Danielle Ondarza – French horn
Stephanie O'Keefe – French horn