Following the success of the most recent Belle and Sebastian album, The Life Pursuit, band leader/singer/songwriter Stuart Murdoch decided to pursue his dream of writing a rock musical scored for female singers. After auditioning vocalists via Internet contests, he made his choices and, with all members of Belle and Sebastian backing him up, recorded this breathtaking record. It combines the strength and feel of early Belle and Sebastian records within a broader musical palette, drawing equally on musicals, '60s girl groups, '80s indie, and classic pop.