Customer Reviews

Milk the Bee

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4 star:		(1)
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Fans of modern rock kings matchbox twenty may already recognize the name Paul Doucette. "Milk the Bee" is his first solo effort, released as a side project under the moniker The Break And Repair Method. One of the big fears when something like this happens is that the splinter is identical to the wood it came from, except that it hurts. But thankfully this is not the case with The Break and Repair Method - in fact, Paul was thinking 'outside the matchbox' when he sat down to write the songs that would find their way onto this fine debut.

Paul writes, sings, and plays virtually everything on the record - who knew there was this much talent behind Rob Thomas' shadow? Vocally, he sounds a little like Jason Wade from Lifehouse - generally smooth, which blends nicely with the pop sounds, but it also packs a grainy punch to kick it up when the emotions of the song call for it. There is also an abundance of talent that flew in to help "Milk The Bee", including Nina Gordon (Veruca Salt), Tracy Bonham, Moon Zappa, and Roger Manning (Jellyfish).

My favorite track is a tune reflecting on the birth of Paul's daughter, "Now We Become Part of It", which any father would relate to with a smile; the song gets increasingly melodic as it goes on, driven by a beautiful piano line and steadily rising climax, and ending with some playfully appropriate toy piano. This is the kind of deep thinking that permeates every song Paul penned and crafted for this record. Other standouts include the opener, "This City (Is Bound to Do Us In)" (the city probably being Baghdad), unique in that it is a bouncy and jovial tune with dark lyrics about life on the battleground. Similarly, the upbeat love song "You Won't Be Able To Be Sad" is probably the happiest music set to lyrics of disappointment and expectations unmet.

The Break and Repair Method will appeal to fans of Rhett Miller, Pete Yorn, Todd Herfindal (Meadows), and the like. "Milk the Bee" is stuffed with poignant pop songs, thoughtful lyrics, and sticky melodies that will buzz around in your head for days - milk it for all its worth.

Best tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10
Bill's Music Forum review

Pual Doucette should never, ever go back to Matchbox 20. This is so fresh and unique. Every song is a winner of piano driven pop rock and if you ever have the chance to see B & R Method live, don't ever pass it up, they are outstanding!

Paul totally blew me away with his first solo album!
Great melodies, great songs and a great talent.
Buy it!!

The most significant solo release by a Matchbox Twenty member yet & if you like it have a listen to Harris Tweed - Live under the pillows.

nice nice nice great music having a lot a fun listening to this cd !!!!!!!!! there should be alot a more coming from you paul great talent :) How did ya hide your talent so well playing for the matchbox 20:) i cant get this picture out of my mind moon standing with some kinda utensil behind you :) lol

This CD is not at all what I would have expected, and is nothing like Matchbox Twenty....but I have to say I absolutely LOVE IT!!
My 5 year old son loves the 1st song..."This City is Bound".
I can listen to it all day long!!
Great CD!!!

Milk the Bee is an outstanding debut album by an extremely talented artist. I'm pleasantly surprised. Who knew MB20's drummer would be such an outstanding solo artist. The tracks are more than the catchy pop lyrics at first listen; they are introspective, clever lyrics accompanied by upbeat musical arrangements. Although not MB20, there is absolutely nothing disappointing about Milk The Bee or The Break and Repair Method. It would be a shame for the fans of great music, and the industry, to miss out on this album and this artist.

I'm really enjoying Milk the Bee, particularly "I'm At A Low", "Now We Become Part of It", "The Most Somebody Can Know" and "This City (Is Bound To Do Us In)".

What are you waiting for? Buy this album now!

I listen to The Break and Repair Method with mixed emotions. First I can't seem to reconcile Matchbox 20's drummer Paul Doucette at the helm and singing catchy pop melodies armed with a voice that's endearing and raspy at the same time. After a few repeats though it kindda grows on you. His voice is simply captivating and his melodies buoyant. Milk The Bee, the title of the album is an eclectic mix of thought provoking (still angst-ridden) tunes and it says everything of frustration and difficulties Paul endured in its making - that is quite clear (just how can you milk the bee?).

I have a high regard for band members (albeit less known) who break out and manage to sing, write and produce their own music quite independently and be brilliant altogether. Most Matchbox fans will probably adjust to the new tunes of this album and it will be a departure from what they were used to. At the risk of creating some competition between Rob Thomas and Paul Doucette, when it comes to making smart and subtle melodies stick that deviates from the mainstream, I'd definitely choose Paul's Milk The Bee (Sorry Rob). Grab one now...it's a great listen.

Paul Doucette former drummer turned rhythm guitarist for the popular rock band Matchbox Twenty releases his debut solo project The Break and Repair Method. The debut album, "Milk the Bee" is an eclectic mix of catchy melodies and thought provokingly moving lyrics.

Beginning with "This City (Is Bound to Do Us In)" one immediately notices a catchy tune that captivates. This song is a perfect selection for an introduction to the remainder of the album as it has includes the various musical instruments throughout each of the tracks.

The second track and first single from the album is "You Won't Be Sad" with its upbeat tempo stands out as what will become an audience favorite during live performances. In some regards, this track sounds similar to some of the solo material released by another MB20 alum that of lead guitarist Kyle Cook and his band The New Left.

As a listener, you will find yourself swaying and bobbing your heads to rhythms that having the relaxing qualities of John Mayer mixed with the poetic lyrics of Bob Dylan. Another track that rises as a standout is "Forget About the Brightside" where Doucette brings a gravel voice to the microphone that makes for a wonderful breakdown in the middle of the song.

While many of the songs in some regard have rhythms and melodies that appeal to a variety of audience, perhaps Doucette's final track "The Most Somebody Can Know" is a piano ballad that is on par with some of the great piano ballads of Rob Thomas (i.e. 3 a.m., You Won't Be Mine, Now Comes the Night).

Overall, "Milk the Bee" is a great listen and an essential in the mix of tracks for a life lived. You will find yourself lost in the tracks until the conclusion where you will be sad that the end has been reached. Matchbox Twenty fans will certainly enjoy the debut from The Break and Repair Method, but will certainly note that this is a departure from the norm of the major band and that is certainly not a disadvantage. "Milk the Bee" will not disappoint.

Love the band, love that you expanded from matchbox twenty. Rob went his own way, which his albums are amazing, you went yours and your album turned out... well amazing. Glad you guys are coming back for another album. Can't wait checkin' the release.