Free the Bees [Import]

Product Description
Japanese pressing of the critically acclaimed British indie act's 2004 album includes one bonus track 'Nothin'' (Live). 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. 13 tracks in total. EMI. 2004.

Tracks:

These Are The Ghosts
Wash In The Rain
No Atmosphere
Horsemen
Chicken Payback
The Russian
I Love You
The Start
Hourglass
Go Karts
One Glass Of Water
This Is The Land
It Isn't Exact (Demo)
These Are The Ghosts (Undead Version)

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

Customer Reviews:

A truly diverse collection of songs.......2006-03-15

There's no band quite like The Bees. Their latest release is a fascinating combination of music influenced by 1960s soul, 1970s acid rock, 1980s pop, folk, blues, and punk. If you like eclectic albums, this one's for you.

Feel good if I've ever heard it before.......2005-12-01

This is a GREAT album! I heard a couple of their songs on this nearby college radio station, so I decided I would go all or nothing and purchase this little piece of sunshine.

It takes you back to the good ole days of REAL music and real talent. The Beatles reincarnate, but a little more sophisticated. I recommend this album to anyone who likes to be refreshed with some music that makes you smile and maybe shake your bootie.

Worthy of their hometown festival.......2005-12-01

If you're a fan of the Bees first album, you know how they fuse old R&B/pop and even produce their material to sound that way. Add more of a pure 60's British pop/rock feel to their second release and it makes for a distinct aura, which possibly was first heard at the Isle of Wight festivals of the 1960s.

I've been anxiously anticipating their next release, and finally it has arrived. Luscious harmonies, great instrumentation (including New Vaudeville Band-esque horn licks) and an ensemble that doesn't tinker until it overdoes itself; a complete throwback to the days of revolutionary Great Britain.

Those who played at the Isle of Wight festivals say the island was so overloaded with people the island actually rocked back and forth. With the emergence of The Bees these last three years, don't be surprised to see the old Isle dancing once again!

how is that, again?.......2005-10-10

fall is here again. and my god, how great is to watch all trees shivery drip out the window this morning and listen to this band. 60's throwback? maybe. textured, harmonic, tight, positive energy? definitely.

Amazing.......2005-09-29

This CD is simply amazing fun. One of the best bands to hit from England in years!

Average customer rating:

Thank God for the Bees
Some good moments, definitely not my usual fare.
The Bees-They're buzzin'.
Measure twice, cut once....
Free them!

Free the Bees
A Band of Bees
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Sunshine Hit Me
Octopus

ASIN: B00022M46E
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

These Are The Ghosts
Wash In The Rain
No Atmosphere
Horsemen
Chicken Payback
The Russian
I Love You
The Start
Hourglass
Go Karts
One Glass Of Water
This Is The Land

Customer Reviews:

Thank God for the Bees.......2006-06-02

"These are the Ghosts" has a beautiful lyric and a haunting melody. I bought the album on the strength of this great opening song, after hearing it on the radio. And I'm pleased to say that the rest of the album holds up to that first wonderful tune. It is true that it is reminiscent of the Zombies and many other great bands from THAT ERA, but that haunting quality isn't something that can simply be reproduced without a gift for writing a great pop song, as some reviewers suggest when they criticize the Bees for being "too revivalist" or whatever. Songs like this can't be produced out of a hat... they must be felt. The Bees write great pop and continue in a great tradition. To me they sound as relevant as anything else going at the moment... more so even.

If you've ever bought a Nuggets compilation then you will love the Bees for what they are; 60s revivalists who unashamedly tap the past for the best of what it had to offer and present it in a new and meaningful way.

You see, I like the production techniques and approaches to songwriting and arrangement from THAT ERA more what is popular with major artists today. I'm talking about bands like Coldplay who make slick but boring music for investment bankers to listen to on their I Pods. I am so glad there are bands like the Bees around, with that rough earthy approach that has oh so much more soul, so much more mojo.

Some good moments, definitely not my usual fare........2005-08-03

Well, What to say about the Bees? I'll say this album definitely is not for everyone, but if flower power is your thing, then this album definitely gets it done. All through it I half expected to hear "What's your name? Who's your daddy? Is he rich like me?" or maybe "Maybe I'll be there to take your hand. Maybe I'll be there to share the land". I can't say much about their debut(haven't heard it), but this is a solid album, I only gave it 3 stars though because I think they go overboard a bit with this whole "Summer '67" thing. I especially liked "These Are the Ghosts", "Wash in the Rain", and "Horseman". On "Horseman" they sound a little more "3 Dog Night" as opposed to maybe "The Zombies". But then there are songs like "I love you". The song itself sounds solid enough, but it lacks the feeling that a song like that really should have. That one needs a solid injection of Motown to get it to deliver what it should. And then there's "One Glass of Water", that's the one that kept making me expect them to burst out into the chorus of "Share the Land"..LOL Overall it's pretty good, they just get carried away a bit.

The Bees-They're buzzin'........2005-04-16

You will not listen to a better album this year. The Bees have touched the quick by improving on their last album "Sunshine Hit Me." It's more professional (which I believe is a good thing) and their song writing talents are overwhelming (check out track 9 "Hour Glass"). I predict this band will be bigger that Oasis was in the 1990's; at least they deserve to be. This is one of those rare albums your mum actually tells you to turn up! It fuses classic 60's rifts with a modern and up beat vibe making it flawless. The Bees, we salute you!

Measure twice, cut once...........2005-02-01

It's tough to give this an outright thumbs-up. Since the Bees garnered a fair amount of critical buzz with their underproduced (but very impressive) debut album, their second release has to be described in the context of what we've seen from them. And it's a horse of a different color... in a way.

Here's what's missing: the musical variety. While their first full-length covered an astonishing array of genres-- from second-wave ska to psychedelic rock to moody post-pop ballads, 'Free the Bees' sits more comfortably in a single genre... or decade, anyway. It's 60s nostalgia with an occasional hint of 21st century sophistication, and sounds more like a tribute by a number of bands than the efforts of one group. Mainly because there's still a lot of variety. There's some psychedelia, some roots rock, and some Beatles-esque numbers (it was recorded at Abbey Road, but it's much more Zombies than Beatles). So while the Bees might not be crossing as many boundaries as they did with their debut, they're still managing to pay tribute to some oft-forgotten forms of rock while showing off their formidable songwriting chops.

Much more polished than its predecessor (which was one of those albums that although raw, still sounds totally professional), this one is more on the feel-good side, has more complex orchestration, and feels much more genuine than most current outfits that stick with a single mode of composition and beat it to death. Although this album is plenty different from the first-- which will undoubtedly frustrate some-- I'll be looking forward to more from the Isle of Wight's most famous band.

Note: Those of you who couldn't care less about the sixties should consider this a three-star review. On the other hand, people who like the idea of starting out a conversation with "Hey, check out my favorite band from the Isle of Wight," should give it five.

Free them!.......2004-12-25

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.

Average customer rating:

Free the Bees
Bees
Manufacturer: EMI/Virgin
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Octopus

ASIN: B00029MMQE
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

These Are the Ghosts
Wash in the Rain
No Atmosphere
Horsemen
Chicken Payback
Russian
I Love You
Start
Hourglass
Go Karts
One Glass of Water
This Is the Land

Album 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.

Album Details

The Sophomore Album from the Duo from the Isle of Wight is Certainly a Pop Marvel. It Comes a Few Years after their Debut, but Then, Time Ticks Differently Over on the Isle. Their Sound in Meticulously Retro, Going So Far as to Record on Older Equipment and Proudly Sporting an Aad Spars Code. Sounds a Lot Like a Good Time Garage Band from the 60's with Much More Intricate Tunes Rooted in Surf Bands and Soul Groups. Another Great Disc You Can Pop on the Stereo and Listen to Again and Again!

Average customer rating:

Free them!

Free the Bees
Bees
Manufacturer: EMI/Virgin
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000228X3M
Release Date: 2004-07-05

Album Description

Japanese pressing of the critically acclaimed British indie act's 2004 album includes one bonus track 'Nothin'' (Live). 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. 13 tracks in total. EMI. 2004.

Album Details

Customer Reviews:

Free them!.......2005-06-02

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 or wild experimentation. They're known for making good pop music, and they don't disappoint here. 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 energetic sound, as well as some deeply moving Hammond organ. To finish off the sound, they inject some exquisite little 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.

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