Reviews (page 2 of 7)
what a wonderful album, endlessly original and full of diversity I loved this so much, I gave it a relisten two more times after it ended- 10/10
Fun, funky, smooth, pretty, jut a great time
Mellow. Lo-fi. Spans many decades.
Great album. Chill consistent indie rock. Interesting and enjoyable.
Chill ass album. This reminded me of Tyler, the Creator’s Flower Boy to Call Me If You Get Lost run, laid back and summery, big focus on production over vocals.
Good
Fun, sunny and chill indie pop from 2002. I caught on to the accents quite quick but didn't initially expect this to be a British band - It has a very west-coast US feel to it in my opinion. Certainly doesn't suit the shitty weather the UK has once again blessed us with on this cold November morning but I needed something like this to raise my spirits. I loved this album a lot, it may not be the most exciting but I just appreciated getting to vibe with it. Another great introduction to something right up my alley! Also I went and listened to the original Os Mutantes version of A Minha Menina after this. I can't decide which one I prefer more, but The Bees certainly did it justice in their cover. Either way, Jorge Ben wrote it so of course it was good. Favourite: A Minha Menina
Really enjoyed this listening experience. A good flow to the album, with instrumental tracks between the main tracks.
This FUCKED
Not my type of music going into it but man was I pleasantly surprised. A minha menina is great, I had to listen to that one twice, it was so good. The album is really great. I'm probably going to have to get more restrictive with the 5 star ratings pretty soon. It's been like 3 in a row. Well, anyway. Albums dope, will definitely put it on again as background while studying or working.
Super eclectic and a super enjoyable listen
It's albums like this that I love to get during this project. I had no idea who this band was but am pleasantly surprised by it. They really won me over by the cover of Os Mutantes.
Det va fint, men forglemmelig.
rlly liked this
What a great find! Great songs with incredibly tasteful performances. My favorite of this exercise so far.
#398/1001. It is summer and this music fits perfectly the atmosphere. Nice new find, not often happens in this project. Worth checking out more and coming back to later.
Undoubtedly the No.1 thing to come out of a shed in the Isle of Wight ever. Tbh I prefer their later stuff (2nd album especially) which is more upbeat, loose and fun (mirrored by their excellent live shows). But this has its place as a super chilled affair, which is great for a sunny day, or a stinking high 30 degree day in London as it is now….
A nice surprise in the hot weather
Was ready to drag this, but it was interesting in a way a lot of the other "random late-90s/earrly 00s UK albums" on this list aren't. Maybe just a high 3, but giving it a low 4 with the idea that I might revisit this album.
Was nervous to see yet another British band I'd never heard of but pleasantly surprised to enjoy this from the jump. Brought to mind some other bands ('This Town' made me think of Real Estate, 'Punchbag' and maybe Beta Band or Spoon? Or Beck?) -- but they're also very much their own thing with easy, island inflections mixed with the occasional raucous sound. Might be a bit too long, especially with the instrumentals towards the end, but will definitely be investigating their other albums, and will make my husband give this a listen as I think this would very much be his jam.
Una mezcla de estilos, original
man, this has all the stuff i like
Fun and chill little record. It's almost an interesting mixture of Sea and Cake, CAKE, and maybe a tiny dash of Eric Burdon. It's a smattering of different ideas but it doesn't feel inconsistent or overreaching.
Refreshing take on this list, but there's still better stuff left off. Still pretty surprising this made it. I like this better than probably 75% of the things I've heard on it.
I really enjoyed this album, definitely my kind of music. And also very glad to have found them, discovery of new artists for me is part of the whole reason to do this!
Miellyttävä! Kivasti laidasta laitaan meininkiä.
Not a fan of that album cover, but this is fun. "Tropical" is the best word for it, a perfect accompaniment to the end of the heatwave I'm living in right now. Pretty cool for 60s psych fans. Also weird Beta Band vibes at times too.
Never heard of them before but enjoyed the different styles they used. Some great songs here.
Nice eclectic mix - interesting and will revisit.
4. Fresh, makes me excited. The fact that this came out of a shed makes it all the merrier. Binnell Bay was a favorite of mine.
Heel vet
A delightful blend of psychedelia, soul and indie with some great sax solos to boot. I’ll be listening again.
A bit of many things, I like it.
Amazingly perfect music for a train ride on a sunny day.... With a lady who can't shut up in the next row over.. And this was exactly what was going down. Already like the vibe 4 for music and vibes. +1 for the perfect timing.
Under the radar gem
not a bad album. a little slow, wasn't a huge fan of some of the songs at the start but overall pretty good. my favorite songs were sweet like a champion, and zia. sunshine gave me sort of a space-themed, joe meek and the blue men vibe
I was not at all familiar with this band, but I really enjoyed this album. It was kind of weird, but for whatever reason I really liked it. Four stars.
I enjoyed this. It was quietly weird in a way that appealed to me. That cover of Os Mutantes was fun, if perhaps not different enough to warrant doing a cover, but still, they have good taste.
Unfamiliar with The Bees but I like! Getting a Flaming Lips vibe. Love the dreamy vibe of some songs. Incredible that this album came out of a home garden studio. This aspect along with the LP cover art gives me cause to bump it up a star. The "Isle of Wight music scene" sounds like a place I want to be.
That was an unexpectedly Pleasant and delightful listens on my way to work this morning. And I'll be sharing this with my girlfriend at the cottage
en mode chilaaaaxxx
Le nom des membres du groupe me dit de fou qq chose mais je pense que c'est des homonymes. Sinon pour l'album c'est carrément ma came, limite un peu lofi donc pas très extravagant mais hyper chill
Albums like this are why I wanted to do this. This is great and I never would've found it.
Album vraiment curieux et intéressant. C'est parfois bizarre, c'est parfois très entraînant. On aime ou on n'aime pas, cet album ne laisse pas indifférent. Il a son style, et il se démarque des autres. D'une chanson à l'autre, on passe par différents styles. Note : 4 A réécouter : Oui
De zangstem heeft iets Paul McCartney-achtigs, er is wat Beach Boys-achtige samenzang, kortom, dit gaat hoge ogen bij Eric gooien. Verder zijn het vrolijke indie-mopjes waar niemand slechter van wordt. Iets in het Portugees, een instrumentaaltje met orgeltje, huppekee. Had dit per sé in het grote boek gemoeten? Ik hoor niet waarom, maar boeien.
Suchhhh a good flow and honestly i think im gonna add Punchbag and Angryman to my liked list, probably also A Minha Menina
unexpectedly funky/soulful
This was GOOD. Clunky, funky and weird!
I really thought this album was cool, super chill. I was thinking 3 but it’s growing on me. Love the opening track and then I even knew one of the songs but I don’t know why. I can’t remember the last time I recognized a song for this project!
4* because I had preconceived judgements and I was wrong
Super tranquil, like it a lot. A minha menina is excellent
Love their cover of “A Minha Menina” so it was nice to hear the rest of the vibey album.
This album is pretty original. At some points, it's really good, but, at others, it's not that nice. Although, I've liked it more than I've disliked listening to it. And I'm glad to say so as, at the beginning, I didn't think I would like it. There is some experimentation in here, but with an indie sound I've not gotten to love. But there is some jazz in here, and some really nice musical influences. And, once you get immersed in this project, it is in some way a very warm and nice one. So, I've not loved this, but it is surely something I've liked and enjoyed listening to.
Great album. Listened to it twice through. Very unique and eclectic. Some nice McCartneyesque vocals and a really nice vibe overall. Even enjoyed the instrumentals!
This is my kind of album. I actually am very familiar with the two Bees albums following this one, Free the Bees and Octopus, but somehow never knew about this one (the joys of the pre-streaming era). This album feels a little more experimental, a little more ambient in places, but with the same jazzy-funk-reggae-indie core sounds at its heart. This album is definitely coming back out on a lazy summer day, it's made for stoned daydreaming, colorful imagery, and open spaces. 4.5/5 from me.
Another great recommendation on the list. Really interesting stuff here, lovely, warm production. It gets a thumbs up from me. For some reason I get faint echos of Doves in there too. Favourite tracks: Punchbag, Angryman, Sunshine, This Town, Sweet Like a Champion, Lying in the Snow
How did we make it to the 2010s without a band of note being called The Bees? I liked the combo of jazz, reggae, psych/garage.
This is pretty sweet. I only knew The Bees as the Chicken Payback guys so this was a nice surprise, perfect for a sunny day. Some bits reminded me of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. And an Os Mutantes cover! Been getting into their stuff recently.
i loved this? it felt short and i kinda need to relisten
Refreshing little surprise, this one. Beautifully written and performed. Interesting and a pleasant listen throughout.
Hadn't heard of this album or group before. Thoroughly enjoyable listen - maybe deserving of a 5 after a few re-listens
неплохо, определенно вернусь еще послушать
Es ist Grooving Time,
I enjoyed that. It reminded me of architecture in Helsinki.
I’d never heard of this album or band and really enjoyed it. Thanks for introducing me to it.
A bit shoegazey, a lot lo-fi and just the right amount of indie. This album was great! I can see why it's not everyone's cup of tea, and I don't know that it's really worthy of a "must hear before you die" designation... but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
very calming in the beginning, somehow sounds exactly like the cover looks, very past summer, movie soundtrack
nice and chill fav song: A Minha Menina
I liked this! Like a slightly more upbeat Eels. The repetitive lyrics sometimes got a bit old though.
Great!
Highlights: Sunshine
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Definitely will be back
Surprised again by one I’d never heard of. Summery and gentle - great for a sunny chill day outside.
It's good but not exactly my style. I really like A Minha Menina.
J'ai passé un bon moment
An absolute vibe
I hadn't listened to this album before, but it is the exact type of dreamy, softly psychedelic, indie music nostalgia that I would have lapped up as a teen when I was big into The Shins, Grizzly Bear and the like. It's very that, and I mean that as a compliment. It's sunny day music without feeling too bland, and ultimately it is music from the before times that I do not feel could be made now. We can't feel that laid back about anything anymore, but I am glad in 2002, even in a post 9/11 world, we kinda could.
I feel like this is another album that I would have adored in my adolescent years. I think this is still a good album, a unique blend of relaxed pop with some reggae and other influences. I might try giving it another listen down the road, but it certainly wasn’t offensive or felt like a waste of my time. I just don’t remember much specifically about it either.
au début j’étais pas sûre. mais à la fin j’étais vraiment sûre. mais à la deuxième écoute je suis revenue pas sûre. je sais pas ♡: Sunshine, Zia
God, I forgot about this. Used to play this on college radio, along with Beta Band and other Astralwerks stuff. Went by The Band of Bees here. Great chill out music. 4/5
Very nice, indeed. And a new band to me, ta!
Feels somewhat ahead of its time on the first track, reminds me of the chillwave indie that dominated after Mac Demarco broke. Overall very cool and chilled out psychedelic pop album. 8/10
Sunshine Hit Me was a surprisingly very enjoyable album. This is one of those albums i absolutely think belongs on this list due to just how influential it is, it does feel like a precursor to the lo-fi girl with the incredibly smooth jazzy sound with a hint of electronic rhythms to it. I think it meshes together very well and creates a super relaxing, sort of coffee shop vibe which is just really enjoyable to listen to while you are doing homework (like i was when i listened to this). Granted, due to the nature of this album, it does get pretty repetitive which is a shame but it is understandable since it's tough to not make repetitive lo-fi music. I still really liked this album for what it was. Best Song: Punchbag Worst Song: Binnel Bay
best album so far. reminded me of early easy life
Great! Never heard of them, had no idea what to expect. Just a nice varied indie album with some catchy chill tunes.
A really good album, I liked No Trophy and A Minha Menia rhe most.
Biggest surprise so far on this album list. I am a big fan of this album, as it has this relaxed psychedelic sunset 60s feel (my favorite type of music) with modern day influences. At the same time with this sunset, you get this feeling that their are some clouds in the background, that you don't know if they are going to go away or turn into something darker. 4/5- will listen again :)
Had never heard of this band before this listen. Really enjoyed this album. The Os Mutantes cover of A Minha Menina is nice.
Dope
A nice cohesive album. I did very much enjoy the experience. It was nice that the album ended with more instrumental songs. A welcome change in pace. The album's sound didn't really hit me in the "right way" just because of the mood I'm in right now. But I will most cerntainly listen to it more in the future! Favourite song(s): Punchbag, Zia and Sky Holds the Sun
Saw this was another early-00s album by a British band described as being "indie rock" and thought it'd be more absolute dreck. However, like a lot of other listeners, I was pleasantly surprised! Not sure what happened to them as a band, but this release is well worth a listen!
I had never heard of the bees, but this is a very good album. Lots of variety.
I was really only familiar with what I assume was a single. It is a crunchy 60s garage vibe and I dug it a lot. This was my first time properly hearing the whole album and I was impressed. Overall more mellow than that one song would have suggested, but that’s not a problem. Quality songs, just the right amount of quirkiness, nicely recorded with a retro feel throughout. Right up my street actually. I’ll be returning to this one.
This one caught me by surprise in the best possible way. Quite the kaleidoscope of genres and arrangements for a (checks notes) 2 piece! Reminds me of Plants and Animals in their understated happy ways. Standout tracks were: “A Minha Melina”, “Punchbag”, “No Trophy” and closet “Sky holds the sun”. Fun stuff!
Really nice album to listen to and just close your eyes and drift away
Quite good and interesting
This was cool and surprised I've not heard of it given The Bees are a British band. a real mixture of styles, we have some funk, psychedelic rock, reggae and trip-hop all going on and I think it comes together quite nicely for music that washes over you. It's a very nice chill-out vibe that they create. Not sure there's any obvious hits or memorable tracks but pleasant music nonetheless I now realise, having looked up some of their other work, that I have heard of them before, because of Chicken Payback from their second album. Which is a tune!
Missed out on these guys in noughties… Despite all the comparisons with history, I think they sound like their contemporaries Gomez, especially with a top Spanish track. Which is high praise. 1. Punchbag 2. A Minha Menina 3. Sweet Like A Champion
Very chill home recording. Just some nice songs to relax to. Must have done a number on indie kids in the UK when it came out
I like this album, interesting sounds. The beginning is strong, in the middle I was lost a bit. I felt like there were tracks mixing styles, ideas. The end smoothened out again and brought the same vibes as the first tracks of the album. Maybe its intentional, maybe its not, idk. But the 1to penultimate track is my fav.
Awesome lo fi indy rock. Very cool.
listening when: all day basically thoughts: i knew from song one i would love this. ironically, the first song ended up being my fave. i wish i had listened to them in their prime ugh. will be adding them to my life rating: 8/10
I liked :) 4
Fine
"UK and wussy annoying hipster pop. I could FEEL the cynicism coming through the speakers. It felt like it wanted to be clever, but it was just painful. I outright hated it." I don't like to respond to other reviews. I feel like it's a waste of time, since it's always one-sided, and I doubt anyone comes here to read responses anyway. But taking a glance down through these reviews after having read this album myself ... come on now, people. What are **actually** getting mad at here? Believe me, I understand knocking this book for its love of British albums (all Big Important Critics™ **love** the UK), and I understand getting on its case for including yet another boring indie album. But I feel like getting mad at this album of all albums would be a waste of energy. It doesn't deserve it — 'coz it's really not bad at all. Like, I mean, come on: this is just lo-fi music. It's the sound of relaxing on a late summer evening, curled up with a good book in the last viable natural reading light. You wanna tell me that this is **cynical**? It's a delight! I mean, sure, maybe if you look too hard at the lyrics you can spot some of that "wannabe cleverness" — but I didn't. In fact, I **did** actually curl up with a book as I was reading this. And I had myself a darn fine time. Even with my mind largely taken up by my book, I could pick up on all of this album's influences: reggae, 60's psychedelia, trip hop ... believe me, under the right circumstances I could see myself being **mighty annoyed** by this album. But I wasn't; it really is a nice blend of influences in a lo-fi setting. As long as you don't ask too much from this album (and as long as you're not immediately predisposed to hating all British music thanks to this book), you'll find a nice little vibe to settle into. Seriously, read a book while it's on, like I did; you might find yourself really appreciating it. And that's really all I have to say about it. For sure, it's absolutely not one of **the** albums you have to listen to before you die. If we're reviewing albums on that front, I can absolutely understand rating this a 1. But I wanna think (or hope) we're all talking about the music strictly. And while I know, it takes diff'rent strokes to move the world and all such, I just really cannot agree with this thing being a 1. It's a 3, at bare minimum. Honestly, this thing makes me wish it really **was** summer when my group got this, instead of mid-November. I can only imagine how it'd sound on an actual summer evening. But even with the temperature growing colder and snow on the way (I hope), it brought me some sunshine. I can't be mad at it for that. And I don't think you should either.
Hice sounds, cute moods
This seems like a really solid release. It was kind of complicated music and I think I would need more listens to really love it, but I think that's a possibility.
Really enjoyed discovering this band by listening to this album. Chill music that hits and fits a lot of musical tastes. Listened to this twice and more of their catalog.
This album has really nice vibes and I could totally see myself listening to it again and keeping it in my back pocket for the right situation. Nice consistent sound with still a nice amount of variation throughout the album. It feels like a high three to me, but I'll give it a four because I've given some far worse albums threes recently.
Nothing really jumping out at me. Liked Lying In the Snow.
8/10
Nice vibe
Fun! I knew A Minha Menina and expected Gomez-esque dusty grooves, but Punchbag was a beautiful opener, and there were several nice, dubby vibes. It maybe lacked a couple more memorable tunes, but definitely a strong 4.
Really good album
There were bits where it lost me but overall a nice listen
A lot of different genre.
fun little album
15.10.25 klo 10.48, hima, varvas, spotify hyvä on! letkiää. lopulta kaikki käy hyvin
A very aptly named album here, because you really are hit with a big old slab of sunshine, pretty much from the moment it all begins. I don't think I expected to feel this nostalgic about The Bees, but they have tapped into something deep within. They're also, objectively, a very interesting sounding band, quite far removed from a lot of their turn-of-the-millennium contemporaries.
Fun cover of Mutantes.
This was a big surprise. It's such a warm album and within it's warmth it's actually a versatile effort. I never knew which song would come next. This is an album I will definitely return back too. It felt quite unique for a rock album released in 2002.
This was Sweet Like a Champion.
I’ve always loved The Bees—they have such a distinctive sound—so I was really looking forward to giving Sunshine Hit Me another listen today. As their debut album, it’s a real burst of joy. The music instantly brings to mind summer and festivals, with a style that feels both nostalgic and fresh. What makes it stand out is how eclectic it is: a mix of psychedelia, Jamaican dub, reggae, indie, 1960s rock, and even a touch of modern Mod. It’s playful, inventive, and brilliantly put together. I’ve seen The Bees live many times, and this album captures the spirit that makes them so good. That said, I’d actually recommend exploring their next two albums—Free the Bees and Octopus—which, in my opinion, take things up another notch. Favourite track: Still undecided—there are plenty of highlights. Least favourite track: None that I’d skip, though the more instrumental tracks like Zia can drag a little. Album artwork: A cool, very 60s-inspired cover with definite Yellow Submarine vibes.
3.8
Quite good
I don’t know what I expected, but this wasn’t it. I really like the music. The vocals remind me of 60s vocal group harmonies. Which are great, but there needs to be a single voice to stand out too. This album is weird but good. It’s almost at times like listening to pop start trek album. The sounds feel very 60s sci-fi. This album feels less like listening to an album and more like listening to a great radio station. The fuzz guitar on “A minha menina” is great. This song just radiates fun. While still having the singers sound depressed. 😂.
Oddly enough, stylistically felt like a blend between Radiohead & Procul Harum…? Some of the beginning/intro wasn’t doing it for me, but then the compositional stand-outs came—Sunshine, A Minha Menina, Sweet Like a Champion, Zia—& that really grabbed me.
I really liked this album and group. This is great chill music. Reminded me of my time in the PNW.
Thanks for introducing me to The Bees. Really enjoyed the vibe of this album.
I might forget about it, but I enjoyed it while it was there.
Fun 3.5
Great album! There was some songs I didn't enjoy but the other ones were just amazing and so surprising.
Surprised how much I liked it
This album was my vibe. Hit some musical notes I forgot since uni. Big fan have added these to my rotation. Good feel good music - little hint of some mixes of different genres. Reminded me a lot of the eels - good vibes all around.
- Was expecting a Bee Gees album as I didn’t read it properly… What a surprise ! Glossy dream like keys on Punchbag which I really vibe with, and then the bouncy bass line driven Angry Man, with its infectious vocals. This genre bending record, keeps you constantly guessing where it is going, Sweet Like A Champion is a favourite and shows a darker side to The Bees song writing. Very relaxing, would use as background or travel music for sleep.
Nice mellow album. Not necessarily a lot of highlights but a very pleasant to listen to.
A-puoli on tosi hyvä! Sellane utuinen kesäpäivä pihalla. Symppis muutenkin, vaikka vähän liikaa junnaa b-puolella. Positiivisesta yllätyksestä (olin varautunut, mut eka biisi heti vakuutti eikä jatkokaan sitten pettänyt) ekstraplustähti.
Pretty cool! 4 stars
Well done, very smooth, enjoyed it. A nice mix of jazz, reggae with sometimes a bit of a lowfi feel to it.
Muy way. No lo conocía.
Instant crush! Was für eine schöne Entdeckung... wobei man dann feststellt, dass man mindestens zwei Songs schon sooo lange kennt. Brian Wilson lässt herzlich von der Wolke grüßen! 4/5
Enjoyed this a lot, v chilled
I enjoyed this, a nice meld of psychedlic and jazz. did anything really stand out? not really, but there is a place for effective background/mood-setting music, and this helped me with some work.
Oooh one I've never heard a whiff of. And such neat album artwork. Let's get into it. First listen: -Liking the ethereal chimes to get us started, into a sorta jazzy vibe. -Ahhh all my notes are gone. Oh well no one reads these anyway. -I liked the one with the reggae-ish beat, whose name was noted in the lost version of this review. -A Minha Menina was a highlight, but it turns out it's a cover. Still fun! -Sweet like a champion has a nice dark vibe. -Some of these songs feel, ah, a little elevator music-y. The incorporation of jazz is fun, but occasionally done poorly it has that effect -Really goes out with a whimper. Last three songs do nothing for me. Review: On a first listen I thought this might even be a 5-star album. But no. Lots of fun stuff here, but it's too uneven. Lying in the snow is a good illustration of how boring lots of these tunes are. I think the album bats like 500, but I really like its highs. We'll give it 4, rounding from 3.5 because my first listen was so much fun.
Did this inspire the "lo-fi chill beats" sound that we've been inundated with for the past decade? It certainly sounds like it did. And for that, I can't fault this album.
Bockt 4/5
"Sunshine Hit Me" is the debut album by Isle of Wight band The Bees. Indie rock is the lone Wiki-listed genre. Geez, lack of effort there. At the time of the recording, the band consisted of Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher who both played multiple instruments, were the vocalists and produced and recorded the album in a home studio in Butler's parents' garden. The album was nominated for the 2002 UK Mercury Prize. Spiraling keyboards open the album in the song "Punchbag." Horns and an organ give this a soulful vibe. Very Flaming Lips-esque at the same time. "You use me like a punch bag." "Angryman" starts out with percussion, drums and bass. A funky wah-wah guitar and we've got cod reggae. Horns, falsetto vocals and a nice groove. "An angry man needs attention." The reggae beat and factor is kicked up even more in their first single "No Trophy." Very chill. Horns again. There are 50's/60's-sounding backing vocals which are used very effectively throughout this album. For their third and final single, the band cover Os Mutanes' "A Minha Menina." Acoustic guitar, tambourines and a fuzz guitar carrying the riff. A nice cover, especially the doo-wop backing vocals. They really slow it down in "Lying in the Snow." Piano keys, drums, electric guitar and more harmonies. An underlying synth melody creates a melancholic atmosphere in this beautiful ballad. I guess this was my of 2002 UK Mercury Prize nominees-that-didn't-win week (the other one was the Doves' "The Last Broadcast") and both albums are quite good. This album successfully covers and fuses a lot of styles: soul, reggae, chill, jazz, doo-wop, 60's-sounding backing vocals and ballads. The production and mix use multiple instruments as the lead. There's also creative layering of synthesizers, piano and organ. I did not find a song I didn't like to some extent. A solid recommendation.
Good, very chilled vibes I think would make good background music
Houmous and Chutney, also a two piece were never arrogant enough to call themselves a band! Unlike these hooligans! 4.2 6/11 A Minha Menina
I like how sparkly and dreamy and summery this feels, the title definitely lives up to the name. Feels like it has quite a lot of jazz fusion and prog rock inspirations to me, and also some soul stuff maybe, which I love. The keyboard stuff, organs rhodes and synth stuff is really good, I sort of miss this era of 'indie' rock where people were experimenting in quite a specific ways, stuff like the Flaming lips, obviously people are still pushing the boundaries, but not in the same ways. Layered vocals are good as well. Not too many downsides, some of the vocal bits take away sometimes, I really like quite a lot of these purely as instrumentals, and I think that sometimes the vocals take away a bit. Also respect for representing the Isle of Wight, can't think of another band from there. Favourite songs: punchbag, angryman, sunshine, sweet like a champion, zia, sky holds the sun. Overall around 7/10
Ai että miten rento levy. Tosi letkeää indie rockia mikä hakee kyllä vaikutteita joka suunnasta. Osittain myös melankolisen tunnelmallista. Eli hyvin monipuolista siis. Parhaat: Sunshine, Lying In The Snow, Angryman, Sky Holds the Sun
Schwer einzuordnen, aber gefälliges easy listening
3.8 Quite enjoyed that. Reminded a bit of the beta band, but with less of an experimental focus and more of a genre shifting focus. The genre shifting inevitably meant there were a few weak ones in there, but I saved around 5 down and all 5 were pretty solid. Not bad for a third listen through.
Very comfy and a bit sad. The vocals are a high point.
Totally poptastic
Impressive (both musically and quality wise) that 2 people managed to record this in a garage.
Just a good bit of light fun
Beatleseque
Really enjoyed it! Definitely reminded me of the Beatles, but in much better way than that other album
This was really a pleasant surprise. They have a sort of lounge-y, retro pop vibe. It’s perfect for relaxing mornings with a book and coffee.
Pretty good, like all the experimental sounds. A little slow for me.
I think this is what 1001 albums is about - finding unique music that I had never heard before. I mean, it's great when I hear me some Led Zeppelin or something like that, but finding new music - yes please.
- fin, sommerlig sound - imponerende bra med under 100k monthly listens - elsker coveret
It's funky and different. Clearly some English colonialism playing a role in this album, snatching different ideas and genres from other cultures and putting a British spin on it. It doesn't work for all of it, but some of these songs are actually really quite good. The songs that work well are really freaking good. I don't normally do this with albums that I listen to from here, but I've added a couple of songs to my own personal playlists. The songs that don't really work well, though just kind of fall flat. It makes the album as a whole really hit or miss depending on the track. "Sky Holds the Sun" joined my playlist of favorite songs, though. So, while the whole album isn't special, there are definitely special moments within that make it worthwhile to listen to. Favorite Song(s): Punchbag, Sunshine, Sky Holds the Sun
This strikes me as a couple of dudes just kinda messing around, doing weird stuff and experimenting with their sound. Maybe that's the lo-fi talking. I dig it a lot. Is it a must listen, maybe not, but am I glad I listened to it definitely yes. I'll put this on again
Album for a chill lofi Sunday
3.8 2x not what i was expecting but i enjoyed the instrumental only style
Well colour me surprised! An unknown (to me) British album that’s actually good and not just shitty indie rock. These folks are actually creative!
This was solid. Felt more like a collection of songs and styles than an album. It was driving me crazy where I’d heard A Minha Menina before and turns out it was the Os Mutantes album. I liked the reggae sounding stuff on here.
I had never heard this one and I really liked it. It reminded me of the beta band.
really chill sunny album which came unexpected. Wasnt expecting anything crazy so i can say i liked it. Will get few spins on some sunny afternoons this year. (3.5/5.0)
This was pleasant without being boring. I sometimes find music that's described as "calming" to be grating because there's not much going on, so this I kind of had enough happening to actually feel kind of relaxed and vibey.
A pleasant urpeise! never heard of them, no knowing what to expect m and this really hot the spot today. Nice, mellow, cool songs... slow and steady, like lying on a raft on a meandering stream. Give it a listen. Im adding to my Apple music of what it's worth. Also, my 500th, which means nothing really... soon I head to the second half
Never stumbled on this band before. Must say they sound more modern than 2001, impressive. A bit quirky sounding at times as well, like 'No Trophy'. Much electric piano in this one, nice. Their supposed most popular song, 'A Minha Menina', was the one that stood out the most on the album, and was also my least favourite song of the album. Instead I found that they shone in the more downtempo songs, like in 'Sunshine', 'Lying in the Snow', and 'Sky Holds The Sun', for example. So the latter half of the album definitely catered better to my taste than the first half. Think this will have to be a weak 4. Not the best, but enough here to carry home for me to warrant an above average rating.
aurinko paistaa silimään niin miten ei voisi hymyillä saatana KAUNIS p-ivä KAUNIS.. töllöttää vaan aurinkoa tuijottaa vaan.. suu auki silmät palaa vaa.. kyllä ilahduttavaa toki siis yö nyt..heh dark knight.. Kuuma ilma roikkuu kuin kuollut mies Valkoisesta tammesta Ihmiset istuvat kuistilla Mieti miten asiat ennen olivat Pimeä yö Pimeä yö.. ehkä tämä albumi ainakin loppuosa sopii myös tämmöesen aikaan päivästä.. btw 2001 eikä 2002 , rotten 02 generation.. ei ole tämä semmoista virheellinen klassifikaatio ja muuten reippaastikkin.. sweet like a champion
This album surprised me. I had never heard of The Bees until now, nor did I recognize any of the songs on this album. I liked melodies, and I thought the addition of a horn section worked.
I had never heard of this artist and was pleasantly surprised. It's moody, but isn't depressing or sorrowful... it's emotive. The songwriting and composing is creative. I liked it and am curious to learn more about the band.
This was unexpectedly good. A lot of replay value throughout the record. Will most certainly be coming back to it. Has a good early morning vibe.
i thought this was lovely
Very catchy. Almost 5 stars.
Vibey and groovy. Like
Aldrig hört förut men det var överraskande bra. Lyssnade på plattan två gånger.
4.4 - This was actually such a nice surpise. Really vibed with it, the only reason its not a 5 is that it just tapered out at the end
This feels like quite a peculiar inclusion. It's a very listenable album, it's so inoffensive its almost offensive. For me the only really questionable track is the most famous - the cover of the Jorge Ben/Os Mutantes samba-rock track "A Minha Menina" - which screams early 2000s tv advert music. A few of the tracks I really enjoy for their simple charms, but overall its hard to make an argument for this album as one you must hear. Fave Tracks: Punchbag, Angryman, Lying in the Snow 3.7/5
oh its these guys, i thought i didnt know any of this but ive heard a bunch of these songs in movies
*Gob Bluth voice* BEEEEEEEEEES (any Arrested Development fans out there?) Definitely an indie vibe straight off the bat with Punchbag. Sunshine is a fun, trippy instrumental. A Minha Menina is definitely the jam of this album. There were a few good moments in this one and the various instruments used across the album are pretty cool. I need to make a reminder to listen this one when the sun is out...or the next time I get high. I'm giving this one 3.5 stars, but willing to bump to a Low 4 for future listens.
This one was a bit eclectic, but I enjoyed every second of it washing over me. Three tracks, three distinct (but familial) styles, each with appropriate production. Punchbag is such a nice laid back way to kick off the album; love the dreamy keys and slightly out of cadence percussion elements. Angryman drops the dreamy vibes for a neo-funk swing and an over-pitched falsetto. No Trophy pivots into straight dub. The one constant across all three is a solid keys-based backbone. Sunshine is a standout to me. Love the shimmering effect and (once again) the key-work, while not extremely flashy, is extremely satisfying. Reminds me a bit of early BADBADNOTGOOD in overall tone. Os Mutantes cover is well-done, but feels somewhat unnecessary. I mean, I love the song and it does sound nice cleaned up like this, but really they didn't do much to innovate on it or make it their own. It looses some of the original charm and kookiness in the translation. The album drags a little on the other side of Minha Menina as they abandon all forward momentum in favor of downtempo ballads. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all of these tracks and I feel like they are each beautiful in their own right, but coming out of Minha Menina it feels a lot like a hole being blown in a sail. Something about Sky Holds the Sun feels cheesy, but deliberately so. I actually love it as an outro track. Something about it makes me want to go outside and lay in the grass. Really enjoyed this one and will be exploring more of what The Bees have to offer. Extremely high 4 for me.
A pleasant groovy number. A bit spacey. A nice album to just chill tf out to.
5 songs in and I'm loving the uniqueness of this album. Random reggae song with No Trophy. Every song has sounded so different but as an album it's working. What an interesting album. Had all different types of genres it felt and a solid instrumental in Zia. Really easy listen here.
So beautiful
While listening, and thoroughly enjoying, the first song on this album, I was quite surprised to be reading many reviews that said this album had only two or three good songs. That first track was hitting all the right spots for me. I couldn’t believe that the rest of the album could fumble. The second track was also pretty good and sounded different enough to start developing range. The third was an alright reggae/ska inspired ditty. Wasn’t impressed, but it wasn’t offensive. By “Binnel Bay”, I was back to enjoying the music, but it had an instrumental intro that went on a bit too long for how short the whole thing is. The next is basically an instrumental, and not a horrid one or anything, but not my favorite. Then a cover that works fine, no big complaints. “This Town” was a nice return to form. Not a standout song, but I enjoyed it. “Sweet Like a Champion” gave us some range that, by this point on the record, was much needed. “Lying in the Snow” started slow, but built to something I can definitely appreciate, before falling of into something much less interesting than what it looked like they could have done. “Zia” is another rather boring and definitely too long instrumental. Final track is another banger. Highs and lows here, but I like it. Neither the production, vocals, nor the instrumentation are anything groundbreaking. All fairly standard stuff. I believe what sets them apart, if anything, is their melancholy songwriting. I understand that that’s not for everyone, but it is for me. Enjoyed it greatly. 4/5
Such a nice vibe. A treat.
L'adjectif qui m'est venu en tête est «solaire», et je vois que ça fait partie du titre de l'album, donc je pense qu'ils peuvent dire mission accomplie! Il y a aussi des zones grises, d'ombres et d'incertitudes. Un bel éventail de textures et de mélodies.
Loving it! On song three and already saved to of em. Beautiful Lovely album many beautiful songs.
First listened to this a few years back after hearing them on BBC 6 Music. I really like it and find it quite chilled, never would of guessed they were from Isle of Wight though!
Quite okay lofi rock/alt music album. Pleasant sound, cool vocals, general positive vibe. What makes it appear on this list? I have no idea. There is hundreds of similar records all around the world, every year, every month even. But well, I guess you have to pick some random albums on such a long list.
I'm glad I gave this a second listen. I feel like the first time around, I didn't give this a fair shot. The opening song, at first I was like "Hmmmm sounds like 'Everything In Its Right Place," but then the horns kicked in and I was impressed. Honestly, I think the horns did it for me more than anything else. It had this "Steely Dan" quality to it (I could be wrong, but that's how it felt to me.). I was teetering at the first listen to a 3, but having a second round made it like a 3.75. Rounding up, that's a 4. Definitely a band I want to look into more. Top tracks: "Punchbag," "Sunshine," "A Minha Mehina," "Sweet Like A Champion," "Sky Holds The Sun"
Lovely listen. Solid first half of the album, slightly drops off after, but still really nice songs.
4/5
Another band I've never heard of I did end up recognising A Minha Menina from the car advert lmao, thanks wiki for that little fact! A pleasant album on the whole, I ended up enjoying it. Easy listening 4 ⭐️
Wow this album has such a variety of styles and feelings. I really enjoyed this mellow vibe for a weekday morning. :)
Fun but weird album, pretty interesting. 4/5
I didn't think this was that special but I did spend most of the day listening to it so I guess I liked it enough to not change it
Very lazy in a nice way. Will I listen to again: 80%
riktigt bra, men lite framtungt. bra längd på albumet. go lo-fi indie.
Pretty ethereal for a pop album, and quite jazzy, actually enjoyed this one more than I thought I would
First real discovery thanks to this list.
Locally known as A Band of Bees, I remember being obsessed with a more recent album of theirs we got at the radio station. This album covers it all - so eclectic and yet put together. Solid. Really like this band.
Really enjoyed this one
This album is both cool and weird. The music is really variable, and the vocals, particularly the harmonies, make it work well 4/5
whimsical
I liked this! Never heard of em and enjoyed the range and diff styles. Fun find!
Down with this, pretty chill and easy listening
I forgot this was an album of the day for a minute because it's so similar to what Spotify usually recommends me.
Not sure how I completely missed this band/album but it's sweet. Funky, fun, chill. A lotta different vibes and all equally cool.
Trim a few songs off this and it would be a belter. The more twee songs were great, and I loved Sweet Like a Champion, Binnel Bay, Sky Holds The Sun. I’d never heard of these before albeit I did recognise Minha Menina, probably from an advert, but I’ll definitely be back.
Very eclectic, I'd struggle for describe exactly what genre the bees are. Funky sometimes, dreamy others. For the most part I really liked it. Recognised A Minha Menina from somewhere, an advert maybe. There were a few songs that felt more like they were messing round with ideas than actually finished. Still enjoyable.
This album's like a box of chocolates. Never know what style you're gonna get
## In-Depth Review of *Sunshine Hit Me* by The Bees *Sunshine Hit Me*, the debut album by The Bees (also known as A Band of Bees), released in 2002, showcases a unique blend of genres and influences that reflect the band's eclectic musical style. Recorded in a shed on the Isle of Wight by Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher, the album is a testament to DIY artistry, combining elements of pop, jazz, reggae, funk, and psychedelic music. This review will delve into the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of the album, while also highlighting its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrical content of *Sunshine Hit Me* is characterized by surreal imagery and a laid-back vibe that complements the album's musicality. The lyrics often reflect themes of love, nostalgia, and social commentary, wrapped in a whimsical narrative style. - **Surrealism and Absurdity**: Many songs feature abstract lyrics that evoke a sense of dreaminess. For instance, "Punchbag" opens with an easy groove and jazzy trumpets, setting a relaxed tone while hinting at deeper emotional currents beneath its surface. - **Social Commentary**: Tracks like "Angryman" convey messages about tolerance and kindness over anger. The song’s upbeat tempo contrasts with its serious themes, showcasing the band's ability to blend lightheartedness with poignant reflections on human nature. - **Cultural References**: The cover of Os Mutantes' "A Minha Menina" not only pays homage to Brazilian psychedelic music but also introduces bilingual lyrics that enrich the album's cultural tapestry. This track stands out for its vibrant energy and serves as a joyful celebration of love. Overall, the lyrics contribute to an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, allowing listeners to connect with various emotions throughout the album. ### Music Musically, *Sunshine Hit Me* is a genre-defying work that incorporates diverse influences seamlessly. The Bees draw from various styles while maintaining their unique sound. - **Genre Fusion**: The album traverses multiple genres—from soul and funk to bossa nova and reggae—creating a rich auditory experience. For example, "Angryman" features Curtis Mayfield-inspired falsetto vocals alongside funky instrumentation reminiscent of George Clinton's work. - **Instrumentation**: The use of traditional instruments like horns, maracas, and guitars adds depth to the sound. Each track introduces different musical elements that keep the listener engaged. "Sky Holds the Sun," for instance, features orchestral arrangements that evoke classic Bacharach pop. - **Production Quality**: Recorded in their backyard shed, the production retains an organic feel that enhances its charm. This DIY approach allows for an authentic sound that resonates with listeners seeking something genuine in an era dominated by polished pop music. ### Themes Thematically, *Sunshine Hit Me* explores concepts such as love, freedom, and the passage of time. - **Nostalgia**: Many tracks evoke feelings of longing for simpler times or past relationships. The recurring motif of summer throughout the album suggests warmth and comfort associated with good memories. - **Freedom and Individuality**: Songs like "This Town" express sentiments of liberation and self-discovery. The repeated chorus in this track emphasizes a collective yearning for freedom—a theme that resonates universally. - **Joyful Absurdity**: The whimsical nature of several songs reflects an embrace of life's unpredictability. This theme is particularly evident in tracks like "No Trophy," where absurd lyrics are paired with catchy melodies. ### Influence *Sunshine Hit Me* has left a lasting impact on both listeners and musicians alike. Its eclectic style has influenced various artists across genres who seek to blend different musical traditions. - **Cultural Impact**: The album's fusion of styles has inspired indie bands to experiment with genre-blending approaches in their own music. Its carefree spirit resonates with contemporary artists who prioritize authenticity over commercial viability. - **Legacy**: Critics have often compared The Bees to bands like The Beta Band and Beck due to their innovative sound. This comparison highlights how *Sunshine Hit Me* fits into a broader context of early 2000s experimental pop music. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Eclectic Sound**: The seamless blending of genres creates a refreshing listening experience that stands out in the pop landscape. - **Authentic Production**: The DIY approach results in a raw yet polished sound that captures the essence of live performance. - **Memorable Melodies**: Catchy hooks and engaging rhythms make many tracks instantly enjoyable. #### Cons - **Lack of Cohesion**: Some listeners may find the genre shifts jarring or disjointed, leading to an overall lack of coherence. - **Overwhelming Variety**: The abundance of styles may overwhelm those who prefer more straightforward pop music. - **Comparative Weakness in Certain Tracks**: While many songs shine brightly, some tracks may feel less impactful compared to standout hits like "Angryman" or "A Minha Menina." ### Conclusion In conclusion, *Sunshine Hit Me* by The Bees is an ambitious debut that captures a myriad of influences while maintaining its unique identity. With its whimsical lyrics, eclectic musicality, and authentic production quality, it offers listeners an enjoyable journey through various sounds and emotions. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its experimental nature, those who appreciate genre-defying music will find much to love in this charming collection. As both a product of its time and an influential piece within the indie pop genre, *Sunshine Hit Me* remains a noteworthy contribution to contemporary music history.
so chill i love it. really beautifully arranged. never heard of this band before but I'm glad I got to listen to them.
Chillllll
Yeah this was enjoyable! Started out well, liked the jazzyness. Got a bit more samey towards the end but overall was some good 00s bangers
The Bees? More like The Bees’ Knees! From the moment I laid eyes on the album cover, I was hooked. It’s a visual masterpiece that screams “play me!” The music itself is a delightful concoction of chill vibes and tropical escapades. It’s like a sonic vacation that whisks you away to a sun-drenched paradise, perfect for those lazy workdays. I found myself drifting into a pleasant trance while working away, dreaming of my recent Australia trip. With hints of tropicália sprinkled throughout, this album is a sunny delight that makes you yearn for warmer weather.
Good groove, interesting songs, I appreciated
Funky, quirky, groovy. This is a really nice record with some great sounds front to back. The melodies and vocals mix so well, and the instrumentation carries the whole album. Hadn’t heard of this group but I was familiar with one song (A Minha Menina) that is a jam. Great one here.
Quirky and upbeat
Apart maar heeft wel wat 7/10
Incredibly feel-good and vibey. I loved 60s/70s vibe a lot of these songs had. Favorites were Angryman, A Minha Menina, and Sky Holds the Sun
Very chill! Hard to place genre wise. Smooth vocals. Smooth piano. A bit jazzy at times.
pretty quirky album, would like to listen some more. Not as good as I was expecting, but good.
I found this extremely good and although I feel I have listened to this band's catalogue, it felt entirely new and fresh as I began my Thanksgiving cooking. Not sure what else to say about this one except it's excellent and highly creative and I hope to revisit it again some time soon!
WTF is this...? This is a refreshing breath of respite on 1001, that's what this is.. Actually, most of it is Lo-fi chill with a ton of different influences combined into one album. Tho good artists are able to take inspiration from other artists and blend that into their own, this album struggles to do all of that because of the two outlier tracks. Angryman and No Trophy killed the originality vibe on the album. Neither of those reggae-y tracks belong here and really drag it down. I'd heard the A Minha Minina track somewhere before, that is absolutely original and a highlight on this album. I also really enjoyed Zia. So chill and relaxed. Overall a find I'll listen to in the future, but selectively omit the two duds.
What a wonderfully pleasant discovery. Will get repeated listenings from me.
Interesting. To say this sound is eclectic and varied is an understatement. At one point I heard a dog barking and it was kind of on the beat and it didn't immediately occur to me that the dog barking was not part of the recording. It wasn't unpleasant, just all over the place. In a way that makes me want to listen for what comes next.
This is why indie needs to exist. Absent the influence of music industry insiders, artists create new, sometimes odd, sounds. Is it always a home run? No, but the creativity is refreshing. The vibe of this album reminds me somewhat of Poolside. Not that the sound is the same, but I’m feeling the laid backness.
Didn’t know this before. Nice surprise for me. I liked the variety of sounds and styles throughout the record.
Fun little detour of low-impact beauty. Really liked it.
I liked this. Fun and eclectic.
Wow, what a revelation. Thought it would be yet another British album that was included on this list for less than impartial reasons, but I absolutely loved it. What an interesting album! Honestly saved more than half of it. Brilliant stuff, what a mix of genres. Reminded me of the Winnie the Pooh world and forests in rural Dublin/Wicklow.
This album was delightful, nothing too exceptional but the vibes were great. Music is meant to be enjoyable and I really enjoyed this. This Town is the favorite. Like another review said, this album is like sitting by the pool with a margarita. just a super chill nice vibe
The Bees seem to be trying to bring back the wonderful sound of 60's Brazilian Tropicália and, really, if any style is to be revived why not start with the best of them. Being the work of a couple of producers it's also no surprise the arrangements are detailed to a fault and filled with cutting edge sound effects. Alas, the whole album just doesn't gel, in my honest opinion. Sounds like a show-off Spotify Randomised Playlist. Enjoyable, but not essential.
This was super nice! Glad to have discovered
This has got a real Beta Band quality to it. It really sounds like the kind of thing that had a short moment in the early 2000s British scene. Artists like Simian, Badly Drawn Boy, and of course Beta Band, where putting together some very eclectic and fairly upbeat albums, mashing different styles together like they were picking up used records at random for inspiration and turning them into something pretty decent. The Bees may not be the most noteworthy example of this short lived indie rock genre (what would you call it anyway?), but it's still pretty good. The Os Mutantes cover was a nice surprise as well.
great album
Nice and the vocals reminded me a little of the Beatles.
This was so feel good. Will definitely give another listen to soon. 3.5/5
this was pretty relaxing, very lofi, i liked the piano track at the end, really good i can’t lie
Really great Loved hearing loads of different influences showing in a different genre The ska influence is great The long instrumental sections are very good High 4
This was new to me and I really enjoyed it!
Never heard of this album so I didn't have much expectations going in but I was pleasantly surprised. Favorites - Punchbag, Sweet like a Champion, Sunshine, Sky holds the Sun Least Favorites - No trophy, Binnel Bay
Chill
A smooth jazz feeling album with mellow vocals. Not at all what I expected based on the album cover and artist name, but pretty pleasant for the start of my day!
Sweetly soothing, borderline twee and breezy. Just a gentle hug for whatever is left of your soul at the end of a long week and 300+ days into this endeavour.
7.5/10 A pleasant surprise - I came expecting indie, ended up with a really interesting melting pot of influences. Soul, jazz, reggae, Latinusic amongst many references Really well played, excellent vibes Best: sunshine
Cool name, cool album cover - but I was still prepared to hate this based on the overview. Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know that I loved it, but it was different and interesting. I'll give it a bump for being something deserving of the list. I think they carved out something unique here.
Better than I thought it’d be. Much better. So many different things in this album. They really span a bunch of genres.
Started off making me think they were just another group of Beatle-revival wannabes. But there was enough originality here that actually left me wanting more when the album ended.
A pleasant album. I enjoyed it.
Eclectic. Like if ween married vampire weekend
This was a very sweet listen. Really chill, the dog days of summer feel
Never heard of them before, misread the name of the band and thought it was the Bee Gees. Still, this was amazing. Would buy it.
Lovely album, great surprise
Not often you find something this original, and I’m really enjoying it
not the BEES I know exactly one song of theirs that I'm very fond of, which I found in a chance LimeWire discovery. I was looking for "Stand" by R.E.M. and I somehow downloaded a 2007 Bees song of the same name. Worth the untimely demise of my parents' Windows XP PC Okay, recognized that riff from Os Mutantes immediately Sometimes I sniff at white (usually British) bands co-opting sounds of the Caribbean, or Brazil, but, ehh *gestures at Paul Simon, The Police, The Clash, this album* clearly there are a lot of examples I enjoy Okay, despite the fact that it got almost too breezy towards the end, Sunshine Hit Me is also exactly what the doctor ordered on a hot, hazy afternoon. HL: "No Trophy", "Bimmel Bay", "Zia", August 1, 2024
This was another unexpected surprise, just a quirky early aughts record with some compelling layers of personality and soul. I liked it quite a lot. A very ambient and pleasant listen.
They should stick to singing in english
Nice album, very chill for going about in the pissing rain in July
Took me back to 60s and 70s music
A very nice listen, with almost a lo-fi feel. Quirky and melancholy but not overplayed or derivative. Honestly sounds like it could have been released last year; I feel like this will be an album that people recognize as a trailblazer for the modern indie sound. Top tracks: Sunshine, Lying in the Snow, Sky Holds the Sun
Super interesting! A good mix of styles, many of them worked, some fell pretty flat. Surprised I hadn't heard of this before. Definitely in my wheelhouse. 3.5/5
I liked it and will add it to the listen again pile. It could be setbreak music. Will check out more of their records
It's a pleasant laid back listen from a band that wears their influences on their sleeve. If there is once criticism, it feels a bit bitty, like they are pulling in too many directions, but nonetheless, it's an enjoyable listen.
Cool brezzy chilled out yeah man enjoyed it, bug out brother
I enjoyed
I made the mistake of listening to this while tired and sick WFH. Loved the sound, but I would need to be in a very specific mood for it. Great for background music while cleaning or working.
Another band I've never heard of. 22 years ago...where was I? This is right up my alley. Really great sounds. Standouts: A Minha Menia, Punchbag, 4/5
It did today, sat on the balcony with these tunes in the background
I didn’t know what to expect since I’d never heard of them. They impressed me by laying down a mood album that I’ll listen to again.
The song angryman was on a sample CD that I received in high school from a aquaintance, it didn't have a sleeve on it or anything. For years, I didn't know who made that awesome song, especially since I lost the cd. But wow! Here it is, on the 1001 album generator. Finally, all my questions are answered.
Pretty groovy. 4 stars.
A new band to me, quite pleasant, a great mix of sounds, 60's pop, reggae with interesting incidental sounds. I may have to do a deeper dive. The Bees buzz brah. 4*
Lekker mellow goed album
I enjoyed this album. It has a really chill sound and makes good background sound for work. I would listen again. It’s a 4.
Jazzy. I liked it a lot.
I like it, its nice and chill
Didn’t know what to expect but really liked it
I'm impressed! I hadn't heard of this band or album before, but it's great. Nice mix of pop, soul, jazz, rock. Atmospheric. Soothing. In fact, it made me go listen to their follow-up album, "Free the Bees". The only reason I'm giving this 4/5 is that "Free the Bees" is even better. More soul, more rock. Nice find — thanks, 1001 albums!
What a cool album. Chaotic and lighthearted and still musically interesting; this sounds like the best parts of the aughts indie hipster boom.
Ok. I actually listened to this one 1.5 times and i enjoyed it!
900 albums in, I'm getting a little triggered by the UK flag next to an album on this list. But not this one, this was a pleasant surprise! Really mellow, catchy, and I felt like the songs had lots of variety. Punchbag and A Minha Menina were my favourite tracks.
Beautiful, pop album
This one was a surprise! Some really chill Indie with a splash of psych and reggae. Right up my alley. Kinda reminded me of Radiohead in some parts.
se il vibe dell'album è come la prima canzone allora mi piace, molto chill. Tutto l'album mi piace per il vibe e il tipo di musica e strumenti usati, non c'è una canzone che è spiccata troppo. Piacevole
That was fantastic and shall be added to the rotation
Really enjoyed this one, wish I had got it in summer. Chill vibes, will revisit it as an album
At first, I was like, "Oh, no! Not the bees! Oh, they're in my eyes!" But this was actually really solid. The album is pure vibes, and really represents why I wanted to start using this generator. Find out more about the less well-known bands that have their niche little brand of musical magic.
This was a cool album, loads of stuff going on that you probably wouldn't notice unless you tune your ear into it. I'd never heard of The Bees, but am pleased to have changed that
Never heard of them, but will definitely listen to more.
Nice chill music with some innovation, I liked it!
This was a lot of fun. I absolutely loved it. Smooth and easygoing vibe, with rich arrangements and solid musicianship. Fave Songs: Sweet Like a Champion, Zia, Sunshine, Angryman, Binnel Bay, Lying in the Snow, A Minha Menina