Reviews (page 6 of 7)
As the only surviving The Beta Band fan on planet Earth (they all got raptured back in '98), I have to say that this slaps. A more worthy inclusion than "Heroes to Zeroes" that I got a few weeks back, but I would still have just gone for "The Three EPs" instead.
I’d never listened to this album before. Never heard of the band. Very pleasantly surprised.
"Squares" is really good. Nothing else stood out.
Pretty OK. Kind of a mellow rock type of deal. I'm curious why this is one made the list, but it wasn't unpleasant. Pretty unique. Solid 3 stars.
i’m giving this a high 3 but i’m not giving it a 4, id have to listen to it a couple more times before i give it a 4, but it’s a pretty high 3 i actually kinda enjoyed this one
Pre-listening thoughts: I have once again never heard of this band or album. Zero clue what to expect here Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty chill and like lo fi. I can get behind it to an extent but this genre tends to bore me after a while. I’ll check back in towards the end of this album to see if it kept me hooked. This is like the exact opposite of the rage against the machine album we just got lol. Like that was overstimulating and this is understimulating and I’m way bored lol. This is like the Doves album from a while back. I thought I was at the end but I’m only on song three?! Yeah bye 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not a chance Fav tracks: Squares Least fav tracks: can’t decide if I love or hate Broke.
Grunge balladry is a new favourite
It's fine. Chilled out, lots of layers to the sound, cool textures. A compelling mix of indie and electronic approaches in the songwriting and arrangements. But it comes and goes without leaving much impression.
My husband tell me I should get excited by this band, but I just can't seem to. It's a nice soundscape but it is amazing songwriting? Nope.
One or two good points. Mostly not good though, middling 2.
I liked the opening track, then was disappointed when I realized it's the best song on the album. Favorites: "Squares", "Al Sharp", "Eclipse"
29/09/24 Not my thing, but I appreciate the effort.
"and the music we make is not particularily good" i mean it's alright, the cover sucks tho
Inoffensive background noise
I do like doing some deep dives on the back of these things. Through this I realised that both "Squares" by the Beta Band, and "Daydream in Blue" by I Monster are actually both covers of "Daydream" by Wallace Collection. And now I've just checked out that original, and it's also good. VERY 60's hippy vibe. Back to the album as a whole, I'm generally up on it. I like the overall vibe, the musicality of it, the production, the mood. I'm starting to realise that I describe far too many of these albums as 'nice', but you know... it is. 3.5 rounded down.
4/5. I really enjoyed this album and a different genre that seems like a mix with a lot of other genres. Like it's soft rock, trip hop, pop, electronic, and alt rock. It has an atmospheric element where the vocals are more like an instrument. It's catchy so you can sing along yet still interesting enough to keep you coming back. I honestly didn't experience a bad song on here but there were some songs that were just okay on the latter part of the album, still a great listen. The other downside is the cover art is pretty trash lol. Best Song: Squares, Alleged, Dragon
Nothing really appealing on this one to me. It's not bad, just kind of lame. That cover doesn't help at all...
Very enjoyable album, can see why they toured with Radiohead
Can’t hear Beta Band without thinking of High Fidelity. Not bad - not sure if I would have been one of those to buy the album if I was in that store.
This is what happens when you listen to white boy critics. Another 0 stars.
Ok-aaay, so an experimental Scottish band goes straight; insoding surpises even themselves by making actual songs. The Album cover: an explosion in the vacuum of space. Sarcastic physicists? Id listen to this on a bus tour of Glasgow or Edinburough. Yes, how fitting. A soundtrack to commuting amoung the welcoming madlings of the Hebrides. Out of context its mirky at best. So, I re-label this to "Music for discovering the people of Scotland" . Because a knowing glance can say more than words. We could have been listeing to music that connects us and makes us dance and smile. But all we got more pudge.
I hated, _hated_, that bit in the film of "High Fidelity" when John Cusack smugly announces that he will now sell 5 copies of The 3 EPs by the Beta Band, pops it on the turntable, to instant grooving and interest from the shoppers. I worked for years in a store almost exactly like the fictional Championship Vinyl and I never, _never_, played a record in an attempt to intentionally sell a copy to unsuspecting shoppers, let alone the unmitigated arrogance to attempt to sell five! Sometimes shoppers would ask about what was playing, but you can't force people to like something just like that. Musical taste is so personal, and works on so many levels, you can't just spin a record you think is good to instant acclaim. That scenario is the wet dream of every white-boy collector-scum record nerd who ever lived. "I will play this secret undiscovered gem that only I -- the ultimate arbiter of taste and refinement -- know, and the ignorant throngs will instantly recognize my genius and bow before me, thrusting their dollars at me as fitting tribute for me imparting this gift of knowledge to them". ("I know" smirks Cusack). So, the Beta Band is reputationally besmirched in popular culture before I ever really gave them a listen. I am predisposed to hate them already, not even at their own fault. In fairness, Dry The Rain (which is the song he plays in the store) is a pretty good song. So I gave Hot Shots II a fair listen. And they are a fair band. They can craft a pleasant tune, with some nice harmonies, with a charmingly sloppy, lo-fi, laid back production aesthetic that I kind of dig. But it's all a bit the same-same (like a series of fading carbon copies off Dry The Rain, really), and I wish they would break out a bit and try and catch my attention with something different. I note that this album no longer appears in the latest edition of 1001 Albums. But I might consider buying a copy of The 3 EPs. Curse you, Cusack, you got me in the end! 2.5 stars, rounding up.
This was no good
calm and clear
This was a great listen. I liked the album fine but hadn’t picked it up since the early naughts.
Good album.
Sounds a lot like dispensary-core indie music. For me, the standout is the final track. It's good, not my favorite, not the most impressive thing
Gorgeous!
I've never listened to them intentionally before but I recognized several songs from this. I really like the vocalist's voice, and the minimalist electronic backing really compliments it well leading to a cool sultry and dark vibe.
I’ve got a soft spot for early 2000s trip hop but this was kinda boring
Solides Album als Mischung aus Trance und elektronischen Songs. Positiv sind „Squares“ ausgefallen. Ruhiges angenehmes zum Wiederhören inspirierendes Arrangement.
Hmm... let's see. An obscure Scottish indie electronic rock album from the early 2000s with minimal success, a weirdly high amount of praise from one or two magazines, and a band where one of the first things the Wikipedia article mentions is that the band was praised by members of Radiohead and Oasis? Yep, I think I've found the album that most exemplifies the weird picks of this list. Only Robert Dimery could consider this album worthy of a list like this. I know I don't. This album's mid. The singing's kind of annoying to me. The sound is fine. It's not the most unique, but I respect the production. The writing exists. At first I was thinking that I was just not in the mood for this, but by the end I really started to feel that my complaints with this album were more legitimate than I thought. This thing kind of drags a bit near the end and is a bit repetitive. I just don't see why this is here. Apparently Kludge, a magazine I've never heard of, called this the best album of 2001. Really? You're joking right? I mean, how can you call this the best album of 2001 when albums like Is This It and Toxicity exist? Don't get me wrong, the release of Hot Shots II is not the worst thing to happen in 2001, but it might just be the least interesting. Hot Shots 2? More like, Hot Shots 2/5. It's a high 2 though. No wonder this got removed from the list.
Cool, trippy, sounds like it could be on The OC
It feels late in the game, at album 1060, to be handing out one-star ratings. I had received the other Beta Band album (Heroes to Zeros) earlier and thought it inoffensive and dull. I find this one more of the same, but with a renewed question: why does this band have two records on here? Is it because Radiohead said a positive thing about them at one point (as noted by Wikipedia)? My one-star graveyard seems to be reserved, at the moment, for things I can't imagine being in this book at any point, and I can't think of a better example than the band that brought us the lyrics: "I don't want to be the type of guy / who lives alone, reading books, and never eats a pizza pie". Just really world-changing stuff, lads.
Despite being name-dropped in High Fidelity (with praise and accompanying needle drop), I feel The Beta Band is still not as known as they should be. It warmed my heart to see this was on the list this morning, and it did not disappoint. Not as good as The Three E.P.’s, but a solid album.
It’s ok
I wish I’d discovered this album when it first came out, because I would’ve loved it. It’s a great mix of electronic driven neo psychedelia with trip hop beats, giving it a mid-tempo, laidback vibe. While it’s chill and mellow, it’s not quite as downtempo as something like Air. Overall, it’s a really easygoing album. Even though it’s a solid listen, I’d say it definitely carries a timestamp, it sounds very much like something from the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Ever since the Beta Band joke in High Fidelity, I've been a little curious about them -- but this album didn't help. "Squares" is a literal ripoff of "Daydream" by the Wallace Collection. The rest of the album is sonically interesting -- but just midtempo experimentation. I had a bowlie and listened again and quit halfway through. It's fine. I don't get how this is considered one of the best albums of the Aughts, though...
Still waiting for the "alpha" version of this band borrowing all sorts of "cool" influences from the late nineties / early noughts (Beck-inspired electro-folk compositions, short funk forays, neo-psychedelia, indie-rock, trip hop, Warp-adjacent slow-paced EDM flourishes, proto-Gorillaz mash-ups of all the genres listed here..). The music is generally nice, and some of the arrangements are adventurous, but the whole rarely leaves a strong imprint. And the lethargic, unobtrusive vocals--close to bland at times--don't really help. It seems to me that, in a closely related "soft-spoken" genre, German group The Notwist released far more fascinating and memorable records than this one. Besides, listening to The Beta Band shamelessly RIP OFF the bridge of "A Day In The Life" for the closing section of "Alleged" (not only the chords, but ALSO the vocal melody) is more than disconcerting, as nice as that moment sounds in the spot. If you want to steal ideas from another band, it's better to choose one that's far less famous than the Fab Four. At least if you don't want to get caught red-handed. 😉 Oh, and the rest of the song is just uninteresting muzak anyway... Still leaving the door open to this one, just in case it turns out to be a slow-grower. But something tells me its polished surface, reflecting far greater records than *Hot Shots II* will ever be, is all there is to see here... 3/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential" albums. 8/10 for more general purposes (5+3). Number of albums left to review: 76 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 397 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 231 (including this one, *maybe*) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 297
Wish I had gotten Hot Shots by The Alpha Band
I’d buy the EP in High Fidelity but I ain’t buying this. Hot Shots II is very mellow and isn’t necessarily bad it just never really does much like at all. It’s like if Damon Alburn took over LCD Soundystem and make them kinda boring. 3 stars
not into it.
Definitely a Beta test.
Hot Shots II is an album that I doubt I will be returning to, and its cover is probably one of the ugliest I've ever seen. However, the sound quality is good and the music itself is somewhat easy to listen to for the most part. It's just alright I guess.
3-4
Not bad, but many songs sound very similar. Can run easily in the background.
I didn't hate this but I didn't love it either. I'll give it a 2 because there were parts that I enjoyed.
Solid, chill project
I've never heard of the Beta Band. I really like the music. I think I'll listen to it more often. 4/5
Very coherent album, clearly focused and obviously belonging together. Strong songs too.
Ok, not really that great, kinda meh
It’s ok
Now I know where Jacob Collier got his vocal tone from! Jokes aside, this was a pleasant surprise. Beautifully atmospheric, sonically interesting and refreshingly out of time at a time when music was generally pretty shit. I love this!
For some reason, the vocals were slightly intolerable for me. Despite that, I enjoyed the album for the overall sounds.
Beta cucks
Not what I expected. Not impressed. 2.5
Meh - shoulder shrug
The buzzing sound on the track of "Life" was annoying. Gone was probably the best track.
didn't like this one as much as the other Beta Band album
Felt too minimalistic
Discovering gems like this is my reason for participating in the 1001 albums project. Thank you once again for introducing me to an album I missed from a band I probably never would have heard otherwise. Great mellow indie psych rock. Beautiful harmonies, great instrumentation and just wonderful.
I think any GenX’er who lived through the late ‘90s was familiar with the Kohn Cusack quote from High Fidelity: “I’m about to sell five copies of the Beta Band.” “Do it!” Sadly, I am as guilty as others who never made it beyond Dry the Rain. This album was really good. I’m surprised that The Beta Band didn’t get more play in America. However, this album, with its psychedelic nature, I think may have been too ethereal for American taste. Several songs on here stand out, with AI Sharp and Broke being my Top2. I’m gonna to this album many times!
"I will now sell 5 copies of the three E.P's by the Beta Band." Huge break to be featured in the movie High Fidelity. Squares might be their best song and Hot Shots II might be the better album too. This is still cool music anyway you slice it. I don't pull this one out often enough but I was pleased to listen to this lo-fi sort of hippie/electro/folk album. This probably more of a 3.5 but I'll round up and give them a 4.
easy listening, ohne spezifisches highlight.
Da fehlt mir das Verständnis. Langweilig mit furchtbar säuselndem Beatles angelehntem Gesang.
I like their vocals and there are some great instrumental sounds and a fair bit of experimenting. A decent album, probably needs a few listens to be fully appreciated
Oh yeah this was groovy.
Much the same impression as when it was released, some moments of brilliance but disappointingly underwhelming at times. A bit over-hyped back then, a bit dated now but not bad overall.
I don't know why they picked this album over the 3EPs which I love a lot more (is it because 3 EPs does not equal 1 album?) This was very pleasant jangly harmonies and stuff. It has a lovely homemade feel to it.
Yet another ex-1001 album!™ http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex Our second encounter with The Beta Band on the 1001 list, similar to the previous one, it's fine, some good bits, but quickly forgettable. Opening standout track, Squares, felt like yet another heavily sampled version of Wallace Collection's "Daydream"... probably best to leave one that to I Monster's "Daydream in Blue". 2.5
Some good songs
Inoffensive, but nothing grabbed me either
A decent electro/rock album - leaning more electro with a hint of RnB - from The Beta Band. Despite the band being fraught with chops and changes in members throughout their time, they still managed to put together a cohesive album. Best: Squares Worst: Alleged
This wasn’t Quiet. It had some Life to it.
I liked, but more as a background while I study
Ugh.
more fun than i was expecting :)
Actually quite good I just was distracted while listening to most of jt
какие-то грустные хот чип. особо не запомнились
I mean, it’s fine. So inoffensive I imagine it played in Scottish grocery stores and people bopped along in the aisles. I was tapping my toes. But I don’t imagine I will remember any song enough to hum it ten minutes from now.
I liked this album! Reminded me of TV on the Radio a little bit, probably just in how the vocals and harmonies played out. I was entertained and tapping my foot all the way to the end of Eclipse. Would listen again.
Weird little album, I liked some of it
It wasn't bad but wasn't particularly innovative or memorable either.
not what I expected.
Pretty chill and enjoyable. I have a soft spot in my heart for the Beta Band.
I’ve only listened to one other Beta Band album, and this sounds like that. I think they might count as being ahead of their time?
Hmm!
Never heard of them but I kind of liked them. I really enjoyed Human Being and Broke. The song Gone and Quite really drug. But overall I enjoyed it, nothing spectacular but I would listen again.
This was interesting and quirky. I enjoyed the uniqueness. Fave songs were the first couple and the last. Some of the other tracks sort of blended together and sounded very similar, but overall, cool and chill.
Sounded promising at first, still good
i wasn’t really expecting the album to be psychedelic but that is one of my favourite genres, it was a good listen overall, the intro was great i’m sure most people would recognise it, worth a good listen in my opinion
Super boring music.
I've never heard of the Beta Band before, but based on this description, I'm imagining that this album will be in the same vein as Doves (I loved The Last Broadcast) or Everything But The Girl (I loved Walking Wounded). Regardless, my curiosity is piqued, and I'm hoping this album will be a good fit for this rainy day. I thought this album was fine overall. There were some moments on it that were really good, and others that were pretty middle of the road. I felt that the album worked best when it relied more heavily on elements of hip hop, with a heavier emphasis on drums and bass tones. There were some moments where I could hear a more straightforward rock influence on the sound, and those moments worked as well ("Broke" is the best example of this). The other songs that tended to be more geared towards traditional electronic music were pleasant to listen to, but I didn't think they really offered anything new or unique. Overall, this album was pretty middle of the road for me. I think one of the best things that this album had going for it was its uniqueness. At the tail end of trip-hop's popularity, and as more bands started using electronic influences, this album doesn't try to make itself a copy of anyone else's sound, and stands on its own two feet.
Unorthodox and a new kind of sound for me. It would be interesting to know more about the process of creation of these numbers - favourite song from the album, Alleged
Weird mix of Beck and David Gilmour. Not terrible?
Liked this one and the first song is the theme song to Severence which is cool
It's not bad - vocals are a little droney for me but musically it's alright.
Weird but not bad
I enjoy this record. Not my favourite but I enjoy.
One great song, 9 good ones, and a bonus point for being Scottish. Sound like 4 stars where I come from!
Kveikti ekki í mér. Það vantar einhvern neista þarna.
This is a much more subdued Beta Band album than the last one I got on this list. It's just as good in many ways, but less fun to listen to overall. Still, the band manages to produce a really original sound that really works for them 4/5
I thought it sounded very aged, I can imagine people listening to this at the time it was released (which wasn't even that long ago) and convincing myself this was good for the time. Then I realised that so many other albums in this list stand the test of time and manage to be worth listening to after 50+ years and suddenly this album went down the drain for me.
Pretty interesting. first half was better than second Standout songs: Squares Human Being Dragon
Ret cool og speciel lyd
The Beta Band is cool at first glance. The laid back vibe and contagious rhythm section is attractive. Unfortunately, this does not last for long. This album is front loaded. I wish they could have taken a little more time to produce a solid second half.
Well crafted underrated indie. Such a move on from the notorious debut. Greater than tbe sum of its parts. Brilliant hooks.
Shades of Alt-J, but even more unusual. Vocals often mixed down to be nearly inaudible.
OK, but quite forgetable
A bit meh
Started out good but became a bit forgettable
Better than expected. Nice vibe but also fairly forgettable
This one was just ok for me. I listened a few times and nothing really stuck.
I would like to know who the hell designed this album cover and then who the hell approved it
This was chewing gum commercial bad
Dnf.
spannend, noch nie was von gehört, klingt aber interessant
So much better than I expected from the cover art and Wikipedia description. This comes off like the Postal Service, but taking themselves less seriously. The last track Eclipse made me laugh out loud.
I remember when I purchased “The Three EPs” release after hearing “Dry The Rain” and being disappointed with how similar all of the tracks were. Hearing this release, I feel like they are working with expanding that sound. So that’s a positive I guess. But I think if ever a band could benefit from a change to their vocal delivery and patterns, it's them. If the music sounds interesting, there’s still those monotone vocals on top which sedates instead of excites. I wrote this^ with three songs left on the album, and was ready to give a 3/5, which for me means "it's fine, but nothing special". However, the last three tracks pushed me, and the final two bored me to death, and I landed on a 2/5. We'll always have that High Fidelity quote...
This is boring and horseshit.
Jotenkin leipoisaa! Mulle toimii! 3/5
Ei kyl iske enää, vaikka joskus näitä kuuntelin
miks tätä bändiä on kaks levyä?
Pretty boring and samey throughout. Squares is great, but that's about it.
That takes me back to when going onto the internet made noise. Specifically, when the connection had just become fast enough so that new mp3s would download faster than I could listen to them. I, metaphorically, wore out the mp3s of this album's first 4 tracks (the ones I had). Maybe that's why it, and its muffled production?, tires me, today and now. Good stuff, but I don't feel like 5 stars.
I don't hate this. It's nice. It just doesn't inspire much passion either. It kind of just exists as fine music that isn't really much of anything.
I just woke up an hour ago and now I want to go straight back to bed. Get this snoozefest out of here.
Utterly uninteresting and unimpressive. Repeated lines over and over again. Background music for mindless tasks.
Another very bland album by the Beta Band - at least Heroes to Zeros had some interesting percussion in places. Every song just sounded the same, and like so many other songs from this era of indie. It is genuinely baffling that this band have two albums on the list when artists such as Gorillaz, The Strokes and The White Stripes only have one
6/26/24. I was impressed by this one! Almost a blend of trip-hop, electronic, and alternative (the most bland term)? Enjoyted the songwriting and structure of each track.
Never heard of the beta band before, good album interesting parts also good background music, glad I listened but not convinced I’ll revisit,
A good album, listened to it while reading.
I was only familiar with the opening song, but this was a very good album. Fits a nice, chill vibe and much like the other records I’ve heard so far in this vibe, I liked it.
This album is like a questionnaire response to me because there are parts I dislike, parts I somewhat dislike, parts I somewhat like, parts I like, and the song Life that I really like. All in all 3 stars or C+.
No hate, but no head over heel butterflies either. Good for a workout.
I remember some of these songs, but I think I remember samples of them rather than these songs as is.
I like the mix of different genre influences but the repetition of words gets a bit annoying really meh, what's it about??
Ummm...did they want us to actually hear the tracks or nah? Why is the production on almost all of them so silent? It's a really chill album to listen to though...however, the songs are very same-y to me. I'll happily listen to one or more of these tracks in a relaxing playlist, but 46 straight minutes of it is kinda pointless
This was very nice!
On one hand electronic music is under-represented on the list, when you consider its utter dominance of European pop culture the last 35-odd years. On the other hand it's not an album genre and a lot of it just isn't very good. Crossover with rock music are often not good at either genre. This is a good example of that. The first song is alright, the rest is boring.
Solid three for the Dry Rain hitmakers. Off-kilter rhythms and melodies from Steve and the boys, always a good listen without ever getting you out of your chair.
New to me, I liked it!
Pas mal, quoique qu'un peu oubliable
Day 14 - June 15, 2024 The cover does not do this album justice. I was oddly surprised with how much I liked this album. 4/5
stellar scottish popping gold
The opening track made my Belgian heart very proud. Decent album.
I start to get why they are called The Beta Band and not The Alpha Band. 2.1*
Parempaa kuin viimeksi.. ei tähden arvoisesti... 2004 vuosi pilkkavuosi... 2001.. Ilon vuosi..
3/5
Love the Beta Band. Their Live a Shepherds Bush set is a 5 star album -a farewell live set that took the best songs and wiped out all the maddening variability and inconsistencies of their studio stuff and amde something perfect. This has some tunes, but in classic Beta Band style their experimental nature leads to patchiness and it doesn't quite gel. Still love it.
3.5
Easy to listen to.
I found this pretty annoying. Sounds like a few mates dicking around with a 4 track recorder, unfortunately none of them are able to write a half decent chorus. “Mason later said the album was, "us doing what we promised to do and making something completely incredible, that didn't sound like anything else. Nothing else that's ever come after it has ever sounded like it.”” Pompous cocks as well, apparently. I might have to give it one star because of that wiki quote, you know?
I enjoyed this a lot. I knew the single, the rest was new to me.
- al sharp - quiet - alleged
STANDOUTS: n/a OVERALL: 2/5; I'm unsure why this was necessary on a "must-listen" album list.
Eka biisi ok, loput huttua.
No kyllähän tän suht ilosesti kuunteli jalalla naputtaen, mut aika perushuttua
I have previously enjoyed a bit of Three E.P.s and was hopeful that this would be similarly interesting. That's actually the problem: it's too similar. More UK bias? Maybe. At least this one is relatively chill to have on in the background while I nothing of importance.
Beta
Beta
Beta
Heard of the band but never listened before. Sounds a bit McCartney on the vocals. Was alright but unlikely to check out other stuff.
Great album. First listen to this band will check out the rest of their stuff
Didn’t grab me. Feels like early hot chip.
I listened to it the day before and it is so unremarkable, I can't think of anything to say.
The first half, with it's jittery samples building into great indie pop is brilliant. Sadly it devolves into more traditional bumbling indie on the other side.
3 EPs better also be on this list. This one is aight. Delightfully weird boys.
Made my morning commute a bit more pleasant. Was aware of the band but had never listened to this album. Nice one.
Not as good as their first 3 EPs but still a solid indie pop album from early 00s. Catchy songs that needs a few listens to get into again. Score: 7/10 (just like Heroes to Zeros that was generated some while ago - in my memory Hot Shots II was the better album, but I now think they are comparable albums - why both of them are included in the 1001 list does not make much sense though..)
No, I did not like this at all. For the most part, I think it was the vocals that put me off, but the music itself did not do much for me either.
Not a punishment to listen to though overall rather flat.
I don’t know how to describe it, but I really like this album. I love the range of genres that’s present throughout the whole album. I personally love “Squares” and “Broke” the most. I genuinely have no idea how to describe the genre of those songs, but they sounds really nice.
Yes
Not good, not bad.
Kinda weird...in a good way.
It has its moments of being genuinely quite amazing but it is bogged down by being at times self-indulgent and aimless. Far from the worst album I've ever heard and I'd happily listen again, but could've also been improved upon.
Pretty forgettable, whiny soft rock indie boy stuff I’m not super into. Eclipse would be a favorite if I had to choose
Experimental nonsense. That's this album in a nutshell. I could've been fine without hearing this before I die. s
Maybe just a 4.5 but interseting and good
Favourite of Oasis and Radiohead and the only album I’ve ever special-ordered from a record shop. That said, apart from ‘Squares’ (which is such a cool song), the remainder of the album feels a bit undercooked. Humorous, yes, so I’ll give it that extra star (though it’s probably a solid 2.5 stars).
The Beta Band does not need more than one album on this list. I'm not even sure if they deserve to be on the list in the first place. I feel as though I haven't had the best impression of this band, however, as the opening track Squares opened my eyes to the true talent they have. Hot Shots II shows that they can make good indie songs that are decidedly more subtle compared to their work on Heroes to Zeros. This indicates to me that they actually have some refined songwriting skills based on how this album came together.
Struggling to find anything interesting to say about this album. It was definitely unique but even still literally none of it stuck with me in anyway. It has an indie rock electronica kinda thing going on but beyond that idk.
Pretty cool sound, just didn't leave much of an impression on me
Very electronic and weird instruments, but still somehow feels acoustic? A weird mix of genres that just works At least a 4 - I kind of want to give it a 5, but I don't know if I see enough of an overall artistic vision for that
In 2001 I actually saw The Beta Band tour Hot Shots II. You’d think I’d have to be a big fan right? No they opened for Radiohead who was touring Kid A/Amnesiac. In prep I tried to get into Beta Band, if Radiohead liked them they must be good! I tried again yesterday. 0/2 5.2
This is my introduction to the Beta Band and the first listen made me straight want to go to a second. And third. So this album has been on at any opportunity I could find. With headphones, in the car, or just my home stereo. And with every listen another layer in a different song makes itself known, which was even more surprising since it seemed like a bit toned down indie electro at the start with some trip-hop influences. But there's so much more to it than I thought. I will be playing this a lot on the coming months and it might slowly make its way into my favourite albums. What a discovery! 4,5*
I can't force myself to be interested in this.
I vibed with this.
Easy going, but like the album wasn’t taking itself too seriously. 3.0
Ah great, some more bang average British music. Can't wait to listen to more tomorrow. 5.5/10 (2.75/5)
“Squares” is a must-hear for fans of quirky, hip-hop influenced alt rock. The rest is fine though not as memorable—worth a listen even if it doesn’t move the needle much.
where are all the good men dead, in the heart or in the head?
Pretty good for listening to while doing my job, but don’t think it’s something I’d seek out
Comparing it to The Three EPs and Heroes to Zeros, this one is much tamer and sparser, but more consistent in its dreamy optimistic melodies and mood. Utilizes some cool spacey electronics that remind me of modern krautrock (e.g. Stereolab) and space rock (e.g. Spiritualized). A largely forgettable experience with no standout tracks, but it's a laid-back style dispersed with some cool tricks.
Really enjoyed "Squares" and "Life". Not sure I'd listen to this album or band again, but found it enjoyable for the right mood.
Fun listen, makes you wanna maybe listen to other albums.
Not terrible but I little boring for me
Blind album and artist. Its like a DJ got flacid and stopped trying. I wouldn't say its a 1 but god.
Big yawn
The album cover is nothing like what I thought this was going to sound like. I love the beta band!
Favorite Tracks: Squares Eclipse
Listened Before? N I found this one pretty unremarkable. Not sure what it's doing here. It's not bad - per se- but I feel like maybe the author was struggling to find Scottish bands for representation. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Squares
3.5 Honestly beautiful album and i love their musical style and it seems like it was in fit in at a beautful time for music, like music needed beta band at the time. Round down tho cause i only saved one song lol
Good album to chill out to, the Lead singer has a soft and calming voice the album also has some hiphop influences
Great but tails away at the end
3.9/5
2 - My partner and I were discussing this album and decided that it sounds like if Jack Johnson was trying to be Beck. It's a really boring album. Like, I would tell people to just go actually listen to Beck. I don't really get why this album is one I gotta listen to before I die, but it did get removed in later versions of the book, so I guess they figured that out too. Also, this band had another album on the list, also removed. Why? Were they really big in England or something? Anyway, I don't see this album doing anything new or inventive. It's just boring.
Another surprise I really enjoyed! The ratings are kinda low on this but it clicked with me! Early Beck mixed with Ram-era McCartney!
Good fun, a bit dorky but nonetheless a more than decent record.
Urhgg sorry not for me
I really enjoyed this. Squares caught my attention immmediately with their version of Daydream which I'd orginally familiar with thanks to I Monster. The rest of the album is great and certainly deserves another listen.
This definitely shoulda been "The Three EPs" instead, and don't give me any "But it's not an album" nonsense - Dimery bends or ignores that requirement in plenty of other entries! This album is fine, I suppose, but I don't have the same connection with it that I have with "The Three EPs", which transports me instantly back to uni days. I still dig the slacker psych aesthetic... Fave tracks - "Squares" is great, though a band called Skinny also used the same underlying sample for a track, "On a Beautiful Day", in the same year, and theirs is arguably better. Also like "Quiet".
Quite unique in mixing styles - result is interesting but not too noteworthy I think. 2.5
Ok
I was really optimistic about this and I wanted to like it. They sound like a slowed down Django Django (my favourite band for the last few years). However, I just couldn't get into it as I wanted the songs to be faster. Some of the snappier tracks were alright, but this mostly faded into background music for me.
An album with spacious production and eclectic arrangements that ultimately falls flat due to being highly repetitive.
Going by the cover I was expecting a joke band. Like seriously, why name yourselves the Beta Band? And then name your album after an old Charlie Sheen parody movie. Listening to this I kept swaying between this is insipid and boring, and oh that bit was interesting. Ultimately this is too hipster wannabe for my taste.
Who a pile of crap
Fairly chilled lil album
Cool electro infused rock with industrial undertones
unremarkable and forgettable
I love the 3 EPs so much but can't help but feel this is wasted potential. Some nice ideas, some moments of brilliance hidden inside a load of meandering. I do like some of the meandering but the album lacks something special
Quite disappointing based on what I had heard previous to this of the band. I find it funny that the review in the 2005 edition of the book says that this album is under appreciated now but in 10 years people will appreciate it more. However it was removed from later editions of the book.
I really like Dry The Rain. I also quite like Hey Jude. This seems to be various versions of Dry The Rain, with varying degrees of success. The album is pleasant enough, but too pleasant for me. This cruised along happily with no rough edges and no seeming deviation from the indie-late-Beatles path. Inoffensive to the point that I zoned out about half way through.
I love the don't give a shit attitude here. It's easy to see how the Betas self-destructed. The tracks build up with so many layers. Experimental Beach Boys are an easy comparison. It's always good to celebrate oddities. The Betas were right old odd ones.
It was fine.
Kinda cool.
it was decent, some good tracks some ass. 3.2/5
These guys sound like Pink Floyd if Pink Floyd didn’t know how to write catchy songs. I guess that’s all I can say about this album. Choice cut: Human Being
huonoin ensimmäiset 10 sekuntia albumiin ehkä koskaan. sentään vähän parantui meno, kakassa lojuttiin kuitenkin koko ajan... huoh... ei jaksa nousta... siksi kolme pistettä... väsyttäää... jäädään kakkaan...makaamaan... jaksa hyvää musiikkia tehdä heh... porspunk funk ancient breakbeat madness.. alleged
consistent, no stand outs but an enjoyable listen
I had fairly low expectations and was a bit surprised. Not too surprised.
The songs are a bit bland muted alternative rock, though it unfortunately treads more frequently into repetitive irritating land (Squares, Dragon, Eclipse) than something catchy. I do like the very subtle Gone, and Quiet is a bit more engaging. Its fine, but overall not very eventful.
I wish it was the movie
I will listen again
I was on the fence with this album, it just didn’t really have anything particular that stood out to me Top tracks: Squares
Reminded me of the shins? Production was pretty unique as I hadn’t heard a trip hop band before
Äänimaailma on kovasti minulle sopiva, pidän tunnelmasta. Hiljainen mutta voimakas, indie, vähän grunge, ei lohduton. Mutta jättää kylmäksi silti! En erota biisejä toisistaan. Silti olen varma, että tokalla kuuntelulla kolmonen. Jää kiinnostamaan, vaikka ei koukuta.
Tykkäävät 60-luvun musiikista; leikkivät 2000-luvun alun elektronisilla taustoilla. Tämä ei putoa: soundissa on jonkinlaista "pompsahtelua", johon liitän Paul McCartneyn hupsun puolen. Viimeinen biisi varmistaa epäonnistumisen. Hirveä kappale.
Boring but inoffensive
Boooooring
I've never listened to The Beta Band. Not bad! Like a precursor to Alt-J. Pretty minimal folkpoptronica.
Pretty okay, I guess?
I like this. Reminds me of a less trippy Massive Attack, or Cornershop. Or even early Blur.
I, Monster did it better. This wasn't a bad album at all. I mean, I'm literally never going to play it again, but if someone else played in my presence, I'd not exactly be upset.
Pretty good. But unfortunately not memorable.
Never heard of them before, nice new discovery
Quite a charming combination of 1970's and 2000's rock. I love how strangely familiar yet fresh it is.
Not as bad as I expected, considering the album cover. This album contains some nicely made songs.
2, me aburría
Doesn't quite reach the peaks of The Three EPs but still a chill listen.
This one surprised me. I really enjoyed it and would revisit. I wasn't familiar with The Beta Band's game.
Um álbum estranho, meio experimental e difícil de descrever, e a experiencia depende muito do momento que voce ouve ele, mas me diverti bastante Fav tracks: Squares, Human Being, Broke, Quiet, Alleged, Life Least fav track: Gone
Not nearly as annoying as the Wikipedia article made it sound. Nothing I'd choose to listen to again -- it was not particularly interesting -- but I wouldn't mind if it were on in the background.
Actually didn't hate it Strange and samey but nonetheless atmospheric and entertaining
There's a reason they're not the alpha band or the sigma band
idk
Only got half way through and thought I know what's coming next so switched it off. Quite a lot of the same
Hmm. A strange one. Not uneasy on the ears but won't feature on my listening list again I conjecture.
Hmmm
Everybody knows that the only Beta Band album anyone needs is the Three EP's compilation. This isn't too bad but it isn't anything special either.
Hey not bad! I wonder where's the Alpha Band at with their Hot Shots I?
Not bad, I enjoyed it more than I thought. The second half of the album, especially. That said, there's nothing to get crazy about. Why does it end on that list? I don't know.
Really pleasant to listen to. Creative mix of genres and very melodic. Sometimes sounds close to My Morning Jacket mixed with electronic dance style.
Rock electrónico. Ni fu ni fa.
Mellow and unhurried, interesting/different but also highly listenable. Radiohead run through a heavy Brian Eno filter or Pink Floyd on valium. Very worth hearing, and inspirational in the sense of one will explore more Beta.
This album was fairly middle of the road for me. I really enjoyed the first track and had high hopes for the rest. Unfortunately, the layered textured quality that showcased the best of this album was not found throughout. I did enjoy the final track even if I did find the lyrics trying to seem deeper than they were. Overall I liked it more than I disliked it.
was ok. nothing stood out.
2001, Electronic Rock Second studio album by the Beta Band (Scotland) Singles: ----------------------------------------- Broke / Won (July 2001) (UK No. 30) Human Being (October 2001) (UK No. 57) Squares (February 2002) (UK No. 42) Standouts: Squares, Won Others: Al Sharp, , Eclipse, Human Being, Life, Broke "Squares" uses lyrics from "Daydream" by the Lovin' Spoonful really well. The sound is perfect. "Human Being" contains samples from Carole King's "It's Too Late" "Won" contains lyrics from "one" by Harry Nilsson (made popular by Three Dog Night). 3.75
10/10 wtf this is so good, how have I never heard of this before
Nice music but why is it on the list?
Beta Band is dope. Underrated. It's kind of ignorable music, but really good ignorable music. Like, I could put it on while I was reading or something and it wouldn't be distracting, but if I paid attention to it I would still be into it. If that makes sense.
🥱😴😴
Having had The Three EP's wound tight on my conscious and reading that the first proper album was a difficult puzzle best left neglected, it's now time to dive into Hot Shots II. While not as memorable as the former and not as eclectic as the latter, The Beta Band's second album is still worth plenty of time savoring; they've taken (and were given) the time to weave their tapestry as they saw fit with little to no room for perceived and evidently regrettable mistakes. I now see why The Beta Band's felt the need to recon and regroup to the best of their abilities here and I feel that it has paid off, even if the story of the band doesn't last long. Favorites: Squares, Al Sharp, Human Being, Dragon, Broke, Quiet, Alleged, Eclipse.
In short, this album is probably one of my favorites so far. The rankings don’t lie, though, and the closing track “Eclipse” sounds rushed and rambled both lyrically and vocally. I do love the opener “Squares” and how vibey it sounds. You also can’t go wrong with the sudden change in “Dragon”, though. This album rightfully deserves a 4.4/5, or an 88% (88/100). Fav: “Dragon”, “Squares” Least Fav: “Eclipse”
More pleasant and chill than I was expecting, though it definitely got irritating at times. Best track: Squares Hovering between a 2 and a 3. I’ll be charitable and round up. Unlikely to listen again, though
Listened to the entire album and found absolutely nothing I liked. Not a single track I wanted to listen to a second time. A definite 1
I have never heard of them or any of these songs but they are pretty good. I will definitely listen to this again.
Gone is really beautiful. The rest is really forgettable.
A hard one to evaluate. Definitely not something that I felt was an essential pick for the list. Sometimes interesting but sometimes boring in more or less equal measure. At the end of the day I just didn’t enjoy it very much. Best song: Human Being
Fun, but generally shapeless and indifferent.
It's one of the many "7 out of 10" albums on here. Good. Better than average, but not great. So it winds up at 3 stars.
Not one point in this albums where I noticed I was listening to music 1
Standouts: Broke, Quiet, Eclipse. This is a music !
Some nice songs. Some forgettable songs.
Beach boys meets wings and an education on where some famous samples came from. Never heard the Beta Band before and found it easy on the ear but not earth shattering, maybe needs another listen.
This album had a cool vibe, but it wasn’t particularly memorable.
Similar to Heroes over Zeroes which I previously reviewed. Catchy and laid-back, enjoyed the listens. Not sure I would listen again after 3 listens, so 3/5 with a possible revisit at a later date.
Nice listening album, but I wouldn't say a must listen to album.
No los había escuchado. Sorprendentes.
I mean, it's okay... I wasn't a huge fan of the album all around. I thought the first song really sounded like a bond theme. Quite liked broke but other than that it's nothing remarkable
Enjoyed it, I remember this from back in the day and knew a couple of songs, which were probably singles. Was nice to listen to it again.
I feel like this album nosedives a bit on the B side. The A side isn’t that great either. Kind of a weird inclusion.
this is the sort of album where it feels like it should have amazing lyrics to make up for the mid-to-bad quality of everything else. except the lyrics also suck.
Squares is nice
"Hot Shots II" by The Beta Band, released in 2001, fails to live up to the promise of their earlier work, offering a collection of songs that feel unfocused and uninspired. While tracks like "Squares" and "Al Sharp" show glimpses of the band's trademark sound, much of the album lacks the experimentation and creativity that made their debut album so compelling. Instead, many tracks meander aimlessly, lacking the catchy hooks or memorable melodies that would make them stand out. The production also feels dated, with some tracks sounding like relics of the early 2000s rather than timeless classics. Overall, "Hot Shots II" feels like a missed opportunity for The Beta Band, failing to capitalize on the potential shown in their earlier work. While there are moments of brilliance on the album, they are few and far between, earning "Hot Shots II" a 2/5 rating for its lack of cohesion and overall underwhelming nature.
Ça a parti de façon intéressante, mais après j'ai réalisé que tout au long de l'album c'était un peu du pareil au même. Loin d'être un mauvais album, mais pas grand chose qui fait en sorte de le démarquer et surtout au point de devoir l'écouter avant de mourir. On dirait par moment une version plus safe de Gorillaz, sans tous les artistes invités et moins hip hop. 6/10
Interesting enough
It is just. So nice.