It was about time B&S released a selection of songs from their albums and ep's, just to embark on the conquest of the piece of world that hasn't heard of them yet. Greatest hits compilations are always a good way to penetrate the industry, so hail the first greatest hits from Stuart Murdoch and friends. 'Push Barman To Open Old Wounds' - this is the title of the record - will contain 25 tracks and will be in stores from May 23, 2005.

In the UK and Europe the collection will be available in a deluxe casebound double CD package and on limited-edition triple gatefold vinyl.

The album will be released by Matador Records in the US and Canada on May 24th in the deluxe CD and vinyl editions plus a standard 2CD jewelcase edition. In Japan, Toshiba-EMI will release the album on May 18th in a standard 2CD jewelcase and a 'semi-domestic' edition featuring the deluxe casebound packaging with Japanese liner notes. Domestic releases are planned for Brazil and Australia but exact details of formats and release dates are yet to be confirmed.
The complete tracklisting of the album is:

CD1

Dog On Wheels
The State I Am In
String Bean Jean
Belle and Sebastian
Lazy Line Painter Jane
You Made Me Forget My Dreams
A Century Of Elvis
Photo Jenny
A Century Of Fakers
Le Pastie De La Bourgeoisie
Beautiful
Put The Book Back On The Shelf

CD2
This Is Just A Modern Rock Song
I Know Where The Summer Goes
The Gate
Slow Graffiti
Legal Man
Judy Is A Dickslap
Winter Wooskie
Jonathan David
Take Your Carriage Clock And Shove It
The Loneliness Of The Middle Distance Runner
I'm Waking Up To Us
I Love My Car
Marx & Engels

In other news, reports the band's website, "not content with a trip to Arran or Millport for Easter weekend like everyone else, Stuart and Beans are off for a quick jaunt to Palestine and Israel. Although primarily there with the charity War On Want, observing and protesting against the Separation Wall, they will also be performing a couple of songs at a show by Israeli star Aviv Geffen. The show is at the Zappa Club in Tel Aviv on March 29th. There are two performances, one at 9.00pm and one at midnight. This is most certainly NOT a B&S gig. It's Stuart and Beans doing a couple of songs, so anyone who expects more will be disappointed. You can get tickets by calling 03-6499550. Stuart and Beans will be accompanied by a journalist, so you'll definitely be able to find out what they get up to over there".