Heroes to Zeros

The Beta Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B0001LYGXU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,957 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Assessment

2. Space

3. Lion Thief

4. Easy

5. Wonderful

6. Troubles

7. Out-Side

8. Space Beatle

9. Rhododendron

10. Liquid Bird

11. Simple

12. Pure For

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When the Beta Band first hit in 1998 with The Three EPs, the band seemed incapable of doing wrong with their infectiously murky, psychedelic mixture of contemporary electronic and early ‘70s stoner rock. Their songs seemed to fall apart as quickly as they came together, and this disposable quality made them classic, in a weird way. But while those EPs recalled the days of Canterbury prog without the silly Tolkein-isms, or the "Madchester" scene sans the nasty drugs, the group’s music has slowly slid into a disparaging mediocrity since then; it seems that the harder the Beta Band tries to be a real band, the worse the result. The tunes on Heroes all have the same muddy sound, sung in the same mushmouth-y style. By 2004, the mantle of loose, weird and fun experimental pop seems to be firmly in the hands of groups like the Go! Team in the UK and the Animal Collective stateside. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, May 26, 2004

By 

Clare Quilty (a little pad in hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroes to Zeros (Audio CD)

I love it when a group I'm a fan of finally busts out and delivers a record that perfectly synthesizes everything I've liked about their music. This is the Beta Band doing just that. Their earlier records were great but sometimes seemed crammed with too many melodies, too many ideas. On "Zeros" the sound is more organized but no less satisfying -- somehow they combine the instrumental drift of space-rock AND pscyhedellic-tinged garage rock within a compact 3-5 minute track. Plus, it's got buttery vocals that would do Eric Woolfsen from the Alan Parsons Project proud.

"Wonderful" sounds downright "Meddle"-esque, a nice nod to "San Tropez" and "Seamus." "Out-Side" is the ultimate pounding, driving-home-from-work-on-a-Friday-afternoon tune. "Space Beatle" is the sound of a crush in the best and worst sense of the word. I'm not sure what "Rhododendron" is but I love it. And I never would've thought a power-ballad called "Liquid Bird" would be something I could take seriously; but I can.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Heroes," not "Zeroes", May 4, 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: Heroes to Zeros (Audio CD)

"Heroes To Zeroes" proves that UK The Beta Band is still going strong, in their first self-produced album. (Good for them!) Despite the goofy comic-book cover, this is a solid collection of multilayered, infectious rock-pop. These "heroes" are on steady footing here.

It starts off with a bang in the thumping "Assessment," with a wonderfully roaring wall o' guitar riffs that makes your ears tingle. Following that are experimental numbers (the eclectic "Rhododendron" with its bells, organs and bongos and wonderfully strange "Liquid Bird"), swelling strings ("Simple" and "Wonderful" are simply wonderful), before finishing with the distant electronic-tinged "Pure For."

"Heroes and Zeroes" strikes a good balance between quirky rock and experimental stuff. Not to mention that the Beta Band manage to combine things that would sound silly in many bands. And their songs are unusually creative and elegant (meaning: songs like "Wonderful" won't make you sick).

Frontman Steve Mason is in good form here; few singers could repeat "She's so wonderful" without sounding goofy. And ear-friendly depression lends itself well, as downbeat as the cover is comic. "I think I cracked my skull on the way down/I think I lost my head when I lay down/The fear of facts presented in the cold light of day," Mason sings mournfully.

And the instrumentation is solid and sweeping. Harmonica? Organ? Electronics? Chime-y guitars? Strong percussion? Horns? Sweeping strings? Barking dogs? All here, and all somehow meshed together. There are messy bits, but they're easily skimmed over in favor of just how pretty or rock-y the Beta Band can be.

This Scottish band proves they've still got it it, in this sweeping, eclectic collection that blends solid rockers with some of the sweetest ballads. Good job, lads.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Silence the Critics!, January 20, 2006

By 

Eddie Wannabee (Western Hemisphere) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Heroes to Zeros (Audio CD)

Sure, everyone has their own opinion! But if you are going to talk trash about a band like Beta Band make sure you do it deservedly. Do not pick on an album that is tasty, full of promise and downright talented. It actually deserves a 4.5 rating but perhaps not a five. Besides that, everything in this album is just right. They have a certain style that makes them worthwhile, certainly a pretty good album to own. Mediocre? I can tell you what mediocre is: Paul McCartney's last album! Sir McCartney must have the media in his pocket (and that includes so called cutting edge music publications) so much in fact, that I, like an easy target went out and bought the darn thing. Let's just say that Beta Band runs circles around an album like that. Mediocre? I don't think so...! In my quest to find out about new bands Beta Band is a welcome sight for sore eyes. "Heroes to Zeroes" is a tasty album, I am very happy I own this album and that is something to be proud of. They are good and all the negative can be dispelled with one honest listen to this CD. There, I said it! Rock on!