Free the Bees

Band of Bees | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B0009I7OI4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,855 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. These Are the Ghosts

2. Wash in the Rain

3. No Atmosphere

4. Horsemen

5. Chicken Payback

6. The Russian

7. I Love You

8. The Start

9. Hourglass

10. Go Karts

11. One Glass of Water

12. This Is the Land

13. It Isn't Exact [*][Demo Version]

14. These Are the Ghosts [Undead Version][*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hailing from England's Isle of Wight--famous for hosting Jimi Hendrix's last major live appearance in 1970 at its annual hippie festival and, well, abundant sheep farms--its no wonder A Band of Bees' second album sounds like it was rescued from a time capsule. The production has such a vintage feel you can practically taste the dust on the deeply psychedelic grooves of "Wash In The Rain" and the Farfissa-fueled instrumental "The Russian." Meanwhile, on a track like "Chicken Payback," the duo-turned-sextet's appetite for experimentation runs so wild that the collision of music hall horns, old school soul rhythms and zoo animal lyrics results in what probably has to be the most buzz-inducing thing this side of a Nuggets box. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

International edition of the critically acclaimed British indie act's 2004 album features 12 tracks. Having achieved success with their first album Sunshine Hit Me, the Bees return with Free the Bees, an album that beats its predecessor hands down. Free The Bees is a perfect album of indie-pop, tinged with 60s catchy hooks and 70s psychedelic rock. These Isle of Wight exiles lead the vanguard of shroomadelic Brit rock--prepare to be stung. EMI. 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A History of British Rock, November 21, 2004

By 

WrtnWrd "Hankman" (Northridge, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free the Bees (Audio CD)

My initial reaction to The Bees was that this sextet blacked out on rank 60's psychedelica and woke up with a post-punk hangover. Further exposure to their second release, Free the Bees, righted what came to seem a grave misconception. Multi-instrumentalists Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher expand their band to a talented sextet that reigns over the history of British rock at will, from the late 60's homage "These Are the Ghosts" through the music hall blues stomp of "No Atmosphere" though the waltzing "The Start". What really hooks you in, though, is "Chicken Payback": a rollicking track you'd swear had a 50's copyright until you check the fine print. It sounds like the kind of authentic dance cut you'd swear you've heard on a John Waters' soundtrack. And from that point on, it's only rock and roll, and you'll like it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Free them!, June 28, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Free the Bees (Audio CD)

Uh-oh, a follow-up to a much-loved Britpop album. That can only spell "high expectations." And that's the major problem with "Free the Bees," an otherwise lovely sophomore album by the British pop band. They shift their sound a bit, but retain the lush 60s influences and bright melodies.

Their first album was pieced together in much rougher circumstances -- in fact, it was stuck together in a garden shed. So the Bees get to make their sound a bit more polished this time around. It's perhaps not coincidental that they recorded "Free the Bees" at Abbey Road, since they seem to have soaked in the summery psychedelic vibe of the sixties.

That's most evident in songs like "Wash In The Rain," a summery pop tune that is washed in Hammond organ, or "One Glass of Water," a charmingly retro sound that is completely catchy and sweet. And they stray a bit from the sound with "Horseman," which is more influenced by harder rock from a decade later on. And "Chicken Payback" is nothing but hilarious.

The Bees (formerly "Band of Bees") are not known for their originality. They're known for making good pop music. Their music absolutely reeks of the summer of love, and they obviously are influenced by plenty of older bands, wandering happily from sixties psychedelica to seventies rock. But with that in mind, their music is warm and refreshing.

The best word to describe the music is bouncy -- the Bees call on snappy drums and cheery basslines and guitar riffs for their sound, as well as some deeply moving Hammond organ. To finish off the sound, they inject some harmonies that would make the Zombies wipe away a tear of pride.

Those looking for a bit of sun in the middle of winter might need this. The Bees sound very retro in their second album, but seem to be having plenty of fun as they travel back in time.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Free them!, December 24, 2004

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Free the Bees (Audio CD)

Uh-oh, a follow-up to a much-loved Britpop album. That can only spell "high expectations." And that's the major problem with "Free the Bees," an otherwise lovely sophomore album by the British pop band. They shift their sound a bit, but retain the lush 60s influences and bright melodies.

Their first album was pieced together in much rougher circumstances -- in fact, it was stuck together in a garden shed. So the Bees get to make their sound a bit more polished this time around. It's perhaps not coincidental that they recorded "Free the Bees" at Abbey Road, since they seem to have soaked in the summery psychedelic vibe of the sixties.

That's most evident in songs like "Wash In The Rain," a summery pop tune that is washed in Hammond organ, or "One Glass of Water," a charmingly retro sound that is completely catchy and sweet. And they stray a bit from the sound with "Horseman," which is more influenced by harder rock from a decade later on. And "Chicken Payback" is nothing but hilarious.

The Bees (formerly "Band of Bees") are not known for their originality. They're known for making good pop music. Their music absolutely reeks of the summer of love, and they obviously are influenced by plenty of older bands, wandering happily from sixties psychedelica to seventies rock. But with that in mind, their music is warm and refreshing.

The best word to describe the music is bouncy -- the Bees call on snappy drums and cheery basslines and guitar riffs for their sound, as well as some deeply moving Hammond organ. To finish off the sound, they inject some harmonies that would make the Zombies wipe away a tear of pride.

Those looking for a bit of sun in the middle of winter might need this. The Bees sound very retro in their second album, but seem to be having plenty of fun as they travel back in time.