With Belle and Sebastian’s latest, Dear Catastrophe Waitress, the Scottish group reestablishes itself as lyrically original, rhythmically and melodically catchy, and as always, exceedingly likable.

The album throws off some of the simplicity that characterized previous albums If You’re Feeling Sinister and The Boy With the Arab Strap and has come to define the band’s sound. It still retains foot-tapping beats, as in the driving single “”Step Into My Office, Baby””, and shows Belle & Sebastian are still capable of sweet, spare guitar riffs like those in the tender ballad “”Lord Anthony.””

Belle and Sebastian is nothing if not endearing, and remains so with this album. Fans expecting the more skeletal arrangements of previous records will be disappointed by the extensive orchestral accompaniment. But the skill with which this fullness of sound is used adds a great new spin on the same melodic talent we’ve come to expect from this band.