Belle and Sebastian are a Scottish band who got their start in the mid-1990s recording an album as a project for a college music business program. Normally the program only produced singles for their purposes, but the songs of Stuart Murdoch were so strong that his group was invited to record a full LP.

The raving critical praise of that debut album catapulted Murdoch and his big ensemble into worldwide independent music notoriety. Their music went from a school project to a legitimate career overnight. They've never attained stratospheric financial success, but their reputation continues to be massive.

What seems so unlikely quickly makes all kinds of sense when you hear songs like "Don't Leave the Light On Baby," a mournful, soulful, memorable tune.

The full instrumental diversity of the band gets displayed, with signature parts for keyboard, strings, trumpet, percussion, groovy bass, and the strange singing of Stuart Murdoch.

It's a rainy day song for me, or the song for a late night drive. It's perfect for some place cooler than where you're at now. Listen to it now, but try it again someplace better.