Reviews (page 3 of 7)
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
I enjoyed this quite a bit, especially the second time, even if I didn't find it especially remarkable. I sometimes thought of Jack Johnson and wondered why we haven't heard from him in this project.
I spent much of the first half of the album thinking that it was okay, but that was about it. Then I suddenly warmed to it. Not sure why, but because it ended on a warm note…
This album was decent, but not spectacular.
Nice! Could really see this be hyped like hell if the mainstream starts would align. Lacks some edge to make it perfect
Relaxing chill out vibes here. This one was fun with its sound and lyricism. It isn’t really anything that special, but it had highlights and was fun to listen to. Cool!
I had no clue what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised. A beautiful, calm, short and sweet album blending an array of different genres. There are som jazzy brass, soul-esque chord playing on the rhodes, indie-style vocals and an overall aesthetic from electronic music.
Really enjoyed this one
Mellow and tropicália infused psychedelic indie pop. I appreciate this a lot more now than when I first heard it honestly, it's a nice album. Not like OMG THIS IS THE SHIT, but definitely easy on the ears. I'll need to check out their other stuff.
Lovely eclectic album - and excellent addition of A Minha Menina cover - all in all fun and colourful.
Cool esoteric album.
An eclectic but inessential tribute to good music. Still good music though. Especially enjoyed the slower, jazzy beats at the end of the record.
Good good 4/5 so far
Behagelig indierock, har en lille smule 60’er rock og lidt psykedelisk over sig
Ah, it's one of those albums with an ideally-suited title. "Sunshine Hit Me" brings warm energy to the listener. I do not know if The Bees' ambition was limited to inducing good vibes, but that's what I got from this album. That and a strong influence from the 60's pop bands: The Byrds, The Hollies, etc... Overall, a decent album that deserves your time.
Favorite tracks: Sky Holds the Sun Rating: 4/5
I really liked the album.. Will listen again
Not what I expected. Good stuff.
4.5 Another album full of bangers that I probably never would have discovered but for this project. Also super excited to get some more stuff that isn't classic rock or adjacent. Eclectic is the perfect word to describe the album as a whole, almost to the point that it feels disjointed. Regardless, I have a feeling most of these tracks will make it into my regular rotation. Angryman and Sky Holds the Sun are immediate favorites.
This was a complete surprise. It almost felt like a Wes Anderson movie. Fun, fresh, with just enough weirdness to make it enjoyable.
If you're a music critic formulating a list of 1001 classic albums you must hear before you die, you can probably do the 1960's and 70's in your sleep. But once you get to the last five years or so, it gets a lot more difficult to know what will stick in the long-term. The Bees' debut album, "Sunshine Hit Me", was released in 2002, featured on the 1001 list in 2005 and 2008, and then disappeared without trace. But I knew about it because my girlfriend's dad adores this album, and it's been nice to give it a proper listen here. The title (and accompanying album art) capture the sentiment and feel of the music very well: we're hit, stroked, walloped, biffed and tickled by sunshine in all its musical variants across the whole album. Featherweight electronic piano and whistling organs dominate, with the tone veering from sleepy to jaunty (but always cheerful). The Bees don't sound remotely interested in pursuing fame and notoriety: instead, they're quietly content in their own little corner of the world (presumably much like anyone else living on the Isle of Wight). "Punchbag" introduces things appropriately enough, with some drowsy, electric piano arpeggio and crisp, straightforward drums under a crawling melody. "No Trophy" is some light and airy reggae, complete with a shuffling drum beat and organ comping. "Binnel Bay" is a simple vocal refrain structured around some calypso percussion. And soon afterwards comes a cover of Os Mutantes' "A Minha Menina", which I'd heard before: it naturally doesn't live up to the original, but is reasonably faithful to the song's spirit. Even when the band tear through a classic like this, or lean more into rock or funk (see "Angryman") they retain a chilled and breezy feel throughout, owing to uncluttered arrangements, spacious production and lighter-than-air vocals. In the second half of the album, the individual songs feel a little less distinct, but the blissful vibes continue: the instrumental codas of "Sweet Like a Champion" and "Lying in the Snow" - and especially "Zia" - have very heavy undertones of Rick Wright playing some early, pastoral Pink Floyd (circa 1969-70). And "Sky Holds the Sun" is a lovely mellow note to end things on. "Sunshine Hit Me" is simple, unpretentious and not groundbreaking whatsoever: think middle of the afternoon at a family friendly festival and you aren't far off. That said, I have enjoyed listening to it quite a bit, and if it were some long-lost 70's release I know I'd be absolutely raving about it. I'll give it its due: sometimes it's nice for music to be nice.
Delightful and lovely and pretty interesting, too. One likely heard (and got annoyed) by "Ah Minha" in real time that summer and, annoyed, chose to ignore the rest of this, which has aged terrifically well. So that's one loss – otherwise this is one's genre and era and remains up for eccentric/offbeat indie rock/pop with a kaleidoscopic, genre-hopping bent. It seems both spicier and less slight, not at all a novelty or a gimmick, which one could see less refined listeners mistaking this for. The overall, relaxed vibe is a clear throughline, which makes the variety that sits atop even more of a wonder. Each microgenre works well, and non-dilletantishly – that is, they add to it while remaining respectful. Every cut has its merits, but "No Trophy" and "Sweet Like a Champion" and "Lying in the Snow" and "Zia" and "Sky Holds the Sun" are personal raves. "A funky little curio," indeed (as the indexed review has it). And seems as good a time as any to recommend not sleeping on The Books, a similar (if not quite as good or fun) group from same era US.
Surprisingly entertaining and unique album. Some of the instrumental songs are a bit boring though.
first listen a fun little artsy thing
Enjoyed the vibes of this. Punchbag was a good tune. Will check them out more.
Very refreshing! Like eating a lovely, perfectly ripe citrus fruit after a week of eating nothing but meat and potatoes. Like a gentle breeze on a humid afternoon, or discovering an oasis in the midst of a desert of monotony. Will listen again. 4 stars.
Didn't immediately register that this is the same group as "A Band of Bees". I love these guys! I'm more familiar with their 2007 album Octopus, but this was a joy as well.
Kaikki meni niinkuin luvattiin auringonvalo osui, mehiläiset asialla.. ei talvesaikaan uskois heh.. mutta niin siinä kävi 8/12/2023 hyvä päivä kuunella pakkoalbumi..
Nice easy listening with Standouts in Punchbag, Angry Man, Sunshine, A Minha Menina, This Town, Sweet Like A Champion, and Sky Holds The Sun. The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because of how fatiguing listening to the album cover to cover can be.
Awesome album, very chill
Electro-dream pop. Very chill.
Never heard of this band before but the album was decent, laid-back indie rock. Good stuff
Yeah! I dug it! Never heard of these folks before, but I might have to check out more of their stuff.
Very chill
Drinking beer outside in the summer music. Aptly named. Relaxed but has respectable musicianship.
Wow I'm not sure how I've never heard of these guys. Reminds me heavily of stuff like The Unicorns and of Montreal which is my JAM. This is super funky and fun. I want the vinyl.
I really liked this album. It's kinda muffled and subdued in a very chill way. Some of it reminds me of Jack Johnson. Really good to listen to while doing a repetitive task with your hands, like stretching a canvas or doing the dishes.
Indie, but different influences, and more nuanced than expected. A soft on the vocals, but good harmonies. Really good. 3.8
6.6/10 fav: Punchbag
Pleasantly surprised, will add it to the rotation
Relaxing Indi pop
I'd never heard of The Bees (and sort of surprised they made this list when I first started to listen through) But I actually quite enjoyed most of the tracks - feels like would be a sunny-afternoon-gardening kind of vibe. Some of the tracks felt like they just had a few too many instruments trying to do too much, but overall I would listen to again for some chill background music. The track Sunshine scratched my brain in a way I didn't know I needed and I ended up listening to it on repeat Buzziest track: Sunshine
This was so good! Put me in a good mood. Perfect for chilling out. I'd rather not type the eight songs I liked here, it would be too much. What I found funny was that I only had heard Os Mutantes a few days ago and remembered A Minha Menina!
Essential Tracks: A Minha Menina (Playlist) Punchbag Sunshine Sky Holds the Sun
Ooh, I like this a lot. Missing a real shine factor, but I wonder what the rest of the discography looks like.
I was pleasantly surprised with this pretty modern sounding summery album. 7/10
I have a method now to these UK bands of assuming they will be garbage based on the trends we have so far, but this one was great! Lots of fun tracks on here, almost felt like a low fi hip hop album mixed with some pop.
Very calming music. Not too bad.
J'ai passé un bon moment c'était smooth une belle musique en fond pour une soirée relax / pluvieuse avec un feu peut être.4.25
This band is completely new to me, but I'm an instant fan. I loved all the great keys and organ parts, the raw-sounding vocals gave it a kind of timeless quality, and the variety in style over the album all made it great for me.
Really really nice surprise ! Don't know how to put it in other words but this album sounds really fruity
When I saw that this album was a early 2000s indie album I went in expecting at least a decent album and it exceeded my expectations. This album started off really strong and mostly kept up the momentum throughout the whole thing. I liked the first song and I was really surprised by the cover of A Minha Menina like I never expected to hear that anywhere beside that os mutantes album. It was also weird and fun to hear a waltz come out of nowhere near the end. I loved the overall vibes but some of the songs near the end kinda let me down so I'm not quite sure if this gets a 5. I listened to this the whole day and I still not idea if I should give it a 4 or a 5 but I’m giving it a really solid 4 only because I didn’t get that excited feeling that I get when I’m listening to most of the other albums I’ve given a 5 to.
I liked this more than I thought I would 3.5 stars
Pues en general, bastante bien. En verdad, la canción "más grande" es la que menos me ha gustado...
Wat een chille zomersound, heel erg lekker. Kan me voorstellen dat dit ook vrij origineel was toen het uitkwam. Op een gegeven moment een beetje saai.
Þetta er og hljómar heimagert, en er um leið ljúft og sjarmerandi. Renndi tvisvar, gæti oftar.
Totally dug, perhaps because one listened during a lazy afternoon, during which one was (unfortunately) not stoned, lest one would have liked even more. One plans to listen again sometime, when lazy, stoned or, ideally, both.
Smooth and fresh
Surprisingly pleasant
C'est rafraichissant
mimi
Buenísimo. Me gustó que esté en la lista.
Zomers inderdaad. Kon er wel van genieten
Joyful without becoming too twee. Best track: A Minha Menina
Indie rock. Muy interesante.
Felt like a really laid back album. Felt like this was this type of sound that inspired dream pop (e.g parts of mag bay, lana del ray and clairo). Would be a nice album to just put in the background but main critique is that it feels like there’s nothing - like it just feels a bit empty. But looking at it in terms of the vibes ig that works if ambience is the main goal. Fav song: Angryman
Good stuff, something different. RYM: N Saved a song: N
Neat
No private session used. I didn't not know The Bees, this was a pleasant listen on sunny afternoon. Nothing really stood out, though.
Some nice sounds and harmonies. Lacking composition and memorable melodies.
overall a lot of the songs sounded the same but there were a few different ones that were interesting. it was very slow bops favs: angryman a minha menina this town
This is alright. Pleasant chill music, OK vocals. Not a whole lot stands out to me. Decent enough though. "Sunshine", "Lying in the Snow", and "Zia" are pretty great ones, actually. Chill downtempo, mostly instrumental. I'd like it more if all of it was like that. Overall pretty middling with some bright spots.
I think I heard this in the coffee exchange playlist
i got hit by sunshine
Tää oli jotenkin samansielunen levy ko eilen, ehkä inasen asteen parempi. Toimi semiok salitreenin taustahälinänä. En kyllä enää tässä kohtaa muista mitään koko levystä, eli ihan vaaraton siis.
ihan jees! ei mitään erityisen mieleenpainuvaa mutta jammailtavaa.
Mä olin jotenki poikkeuksellisen nopee myyty avausraidasta ja musta tää vaikutti pian ihan tosi aliarvostetulta timantilta! 💎 NRE kuitenkin haihtui surullisen nopeaan muutaman biisin myötä ja kokonaisuutena jäi sitten lopulta suht keskinkertaiseksi 😕 Upee kansi ja jotain tosi kiinnostavaa, mut sit kuitenki ihan jepa vaan lopulta…
Tykkäsin tästä, tosi ajattoman kuuloista, eikä vuoden 2001. Mut tääki ois kaivannu jotain lisää. Vähän sellainen unohdettava, ja mietin miksi on tällä listalla, vaikka pidänkin.
Not impressed by this. 3
Decent but not sure why it's on this list
Punchbag - 3 Angryman - 3 No trophy - 3 Binnel bay - 3 Sunshine - 3 A minha menina - 4 This town - 3 Sweet like a champion - 3 Lying in the snow - 3 Zia - 3 Sky holds the sun - 3
I liked this. I don’t think it’s enough to put it into 4 star territory, but the cover of A Minha Menina was a nice surprise - I’m familiar with and very much enjoy the original - and I also appreciated the chill keys throughout Zia.
Aldrig hört talas om men var ju väldigt mysigt! Stark trea!
Blev positivt överraskad! Härligt till morgonprommen. Börjar bra, svängigt och lite neo souligt, blir lite halvbjäring mot slutet. Stark 3a som tangerar 4an!
If you want to listen to a pleasant but completely forgettable album, you definitely have to listen to this one before you die.
Overall: 6/10 A nice, chill album to start my morning. Nothing blew me away and I don't think it's something that I'll come back to often, but I had a pleasant time with it. Fav Song: A Minha Menina
Quiet and a bit boring but not crazy bad
Enjoyed it more than I thought, although it sounds like a lot of other things.. or is it other things that sound like this?
Not life-changing, and not an album I’d consider must-listen, but it’s still good and chill. An album that can be perfectly summed up in the word “nice”
5/10
I really liked the idea of what this album was going to be. It just didn't hit the way I wanted it too for me
Qué sería esto? De donde son estos tipos? Raro el álbum. Algo de reggae, algo de indie, qué se yo. Álbum pasatista, no mucho más. 5/10
I mean it's okay
Sweet, but boring and absolutely does not belong on this list
This was really the perfect record to pack my bags to. Solid strong 3 for the vibes.
2026.07.21.
A moderately fun album, but to be honest I prefer a band with a settled sound to one that dabbles in a wide variety of styles. Chicken Payback boosts it from a 2 to a 3
Cijenim što su pjesme veoma raznolike. Ali to stvara problem da mi se neke sviđaju a neke ne baš. Ukupni je dojam 50/50.
Tries its hand at sounding like a million different other artists, while excelling at none of them. Droney and relaxing, but really nothing special. Not even remotely in the “need to listen to before you die” category.
The Gamma Band Tracks 2 to 4 are kind of awful but if you hang in there it's sort of ok.
Nice. Not positive how often I’ll be revisiting this, but it’s eclectic, short, and pretty groovy.
The definition of a nice little album
Pleasant listen. Strong bedroom pop vibes. Doesn’t stand out to me overall
This was a nice, quick album to have playing in the background. I did appreciate that they threw in sounds from other genres from time to time. I'd like to give this 3.5, but since nothing particularly stood out, I'll go down to a 3 instead
I've for Free the Bees, which seems like a better album. This is fine, and overall there's nothing wrong with the band, but their a musical footnote not something anyone he's to listen to
Another Mercury Prize nominee on this list from the early 2000s. Back in the early 2000s maybe I could have gotten behind this, but today it's a tad too "indie generic" to be on this list of "timeless" classics. I feel Dimery and Co. did some hard gambles on newer music, but this has since been removed in recent editions. Good riddance. 3 stars only because the Os Mutantes cover was pretty cool, and some of the lengthy instrumental stuff with pianos and horns is nice at the end.
No conocía este grupo, pero veo que son los autores de la versión de "A minha menina" de Os mutantes que escuché hace poco en esta lista. Me guardo esa canción y también la primera Punchbag. Suenan bien y les pongo un 3 aunque sería otro 2,5 de esos que no pueden ponerse aquí.
The dreamy backing track is starting to annoy now where at first it seemed kind of interesting. The falsetto vocals are going to wear me out pretty quickly. These guys are British contemporaries of TV On The Radio. British bands and ska...a tale as old as the 1960s. The Beach Boys used the theremin on Pet Sounds and it seemed like an organic decision. The instrumentation on this album seems more like an affectation. This is agreeable enough...the kind of thing you might ask about if it was on in the background at a party, but not enough to remember the band name once you'd been told. This feels like the soundtrack to an indie movie. Not loving Zia as just a long instrumental. It's not bad...it is also not good. DeVotchKa and these guys probably get along great, contemporaries. I didn't realize these were the Chicken Payback guys until the Because You Listened To...songs started. I do like that song.
Não é um estilo de música que costumo apreciar muito. Possui algumas músicas interessantes e o som é bem rico. Celest x Versekeys Ultra-Sense Planet.
One of the most diverse entries, not quite at the level to warrant anything more than a middling rating
If you’ve never heard this I’d suggest go to your local hipster coffee place. You’ll see a barista who’s in his 30’s has a beard, collection of decent tattoos and a baseball cap. Imagine the soundtrack in his head. Well done you’ve listened to this album…. On a serious point I do like the Bees. Bought the first album, saw them live and was mesmerised by the way they swapped instruments. However, I think the first album is probably better as it has more songs as this leans more into the world of vibes. I imagine if I was listening to this next to a beach cold beer in hand it would be a great soundtrack. But I’m not, so it does wash over me a bit
Better what it rolled in to. Good enough album though.
This is the kind of album you need to be getting high to lol. But while sober, it felt unremarkable to me and was just sort of something I’d enjoy if it was already playing as random background music.
Gave it a few goes and some of it grew on me but just lacked a bit of spark.
Pretty entertaining take on 60s psychadelia. Fun
perfectly cromulent but not particularly exciting
Pleasant and completely inessential.
My initial reaction was "this is awesome". But in the end it was mostly that first track: Punchbag. I love the groove, and it's a solid melody too. I also kind of liked the instrumental towards the end: Zia. That one reminds me of "Us and Them" by Pink Floyd.
This record was interesting to me. I have never heard of this band, nor their music, but they seem to have a diverse mix of great songs.
I liked the sound at points but was hard to escape the element of white man reggae - can be fine but in this case was quite funny
Some really great moments, but equally as many “meh” moments.
Chill shit
intriguing
헐 조음 이라고 생각했는데 중간은 맹맹하네요 Punch bag, lying in the snow 괜춘 3
I know I listened to this but I really don’t remember a thing. Like literally. I almost feel like I’m cheating but I’m not listening to this again. Below average enough to not remember anything but certainly good enough to not hate and be disgusted. Have never mentioned we need half stars? Three crappy stars for this one.
This was ok. I feel like there’s a reason why The Bees aren’t a household name, but it was fine.
Wasn't anything groundbreaking but honestly an enjoyable album/listen. Certainly still holds up for being released in the early 2000s. No takeaways, but was nice to listen to.
There's nothing groundbreaking about this album. It's still good, though. This is what you want to hear while you sip a cold IPA in Williamsburg. There are some really cool chords in here, which hold up the bad writing a bit. Highlights: Angryman, Sky Holds The Sun
Alright but didn’t get anything from it
Very pleasant. This seems like a nice summer album. It reminded me of Gomez, The Zutons, and, slightly strangely, Hot Chip, not for the instrumentation but the voices. It’s not mind-blowing but it’s nice enough. 3.5 stars.
6/10… downbeat / slow pop / *2002
A wacky combination of genres that will puzzle even the most seasoned musical veteran. Maj7 and 9 chords see plenty of use, and we're presented with an overall lazy, summery atmosphere. I really like a lot of these songs. The opener, Punchbag, is plenty psychedelic and an overall really fun experience. The gritty horns (saxes?) contrast nicely with the ultra-smooth Fender Rhodes, which itself commits to a sort of "smooth jazz" genre. Then we have soulful organs in the background, and a strange, tentative vocal melody. Angryman takes a very similar approach to instrumental selection, though the Rhodes keyboard is replaced with more active percussion, creating a (relative) pick-me-up. I do hope we hear some upbeat tracks, though, because these two songs aren't scratching that itch yet. No Trophy somewhat fulfils that role, but it's so cheesy-sounding that I can't take it seriously. Still, a fun time. Half the songs from this point onward seem goofy for the sake of goofy. For the year 2001, none of it is anything particularly special. No Trophy and Binnel Bay could be from the late 60s – think the Zombies or Kinks – and none of us would be any the wiser. Sweet Like a Champion could easily be an early Pink Floyd track (Saucerful of Secrets era). But we're judging by 21st-century standards. In 2001 we had Is This It, Amnesiac, YHF, Lateralus... In terms of sheer impressiveness, Sunshine Hit Me doesn't stack up. But A Minha Menina? That, I can get behind. The strongest lead vocal and backing vocal to date, a great rocking acoustic guitar part, and an excellently memorable brass hook. This is a goddamn satisfying increase in energy, something that songs 1-5 were sorely lacking in. Sky Holds the Sun stands out at the end of the album for sounding much more of-its-time (2000s) than any other song on the record. Well, really it sounds like mumbled grunge from the 90s – at least the vocals do – but it's still pretty sweet. 3/5 Key tracks: Punchbag, A Minha Menina, Sky Holds the Sun
Best Song: A Minha Menina. Delightfully upbeat, with a great chorus. Worst Song: Zia. A fairly uninspired and tedious piano solo. Overall: Very strange inclusion on this list. It just feels like it doesn't do enough of anything to warrant inclusion here. It's fine, but certainly this list should aspire to more than "fine". The album came out in 2001 and I certainly hasn't retained any lasting popularity, nor does it seem to have strongly influenced anyone who has come since.
Mostly enjoyed this, it kinda faded into the background.
This was ok
5 - fine mood music
There is more to The Bees than their faithfully upbeat cover of Os Mutantes' topicalia classic, A Minha Menina and, while Sunshine Hit Me never quite hits the same melodic high again, it is an album built on laid-back psych vibes and beats rather than out-and-out bangers. Good stuff, but perhaps suffers from being so comfortable in its own "too weird to live, too rare to die" indie niche.
This was fine to listen to but not particularly memorable. Took me a quite a while to recall what it was this morning that I had heard. The album artwork is more distinctive than the music
Never heard of them before I got them for today and now I see why i’ve never heard of them. The most boring, generic top rock the best thing I can say about them is I didn’t hate them
Fínt bara, ekki mikið um það að segja annars fannst mér.
yet another nominee of the savior of rock and roll. also this makes me woozy so i dont like it, im not sure 3/5
I liked the instrumentals
I like the cover of Os Mutantes' "A Minha Menina" and a track or two towards the end. Otherwise unmemorable and unimaginative.
Thought this was an enjoyable chill listen coming off a busy holiday weekend. May revisit and my rating could turn out to be a little low... 3.5/5
Fascinating. 3.5.
Mid
I saw The Bees at a festival around the mid 2000s, which is a good way to hear them. This works best as 'sitting in a field with your mates on a summer day' music, rather than 'giving it your full attention after being told it's one of the greatest albums of all time' music.
idk im tired
Very good album. Great Os Mutantes cover. A 3,5
The Isle of Wight music scene? An Os Mutantes cover? Ok, I guess I'm glad I heard it.
Enjoyable, but a mixed bag.
It was fun
Pleasant enough, subtle, intriguing, low-key. I don't dislike anything, but it is like anti-grab music. Even when it is super cool. Maybe because it is super cool.
I’d forgotten all about The Bees and much as i did know one song of theirs, after this I’ll forget about them all over again. Pleasant and mellow though.
Ok
This was enjoyable. I might not seek this out, but wouldn't turn it off if it came on the radio.
Really soothing actually. Never heard of this band but was not unpleasant to listen to.
I actually knew Punchbag. Maybe it was in a movie or something? This seems like that under the current band who had a song or two creep into public consciousness, but even when you first heard them twenty years ago, you felt it probably wasn’t quite worth it to get too involved. Maybe six or seven people thought they were the shit. In the present day, I’ll say the music isn’t bad. It definitely feels to me like soundtrack music from a particular era, with a tad too much cultural appropriation. I’ll forget about it pronto.
"Lo-fi hip-hop beats to forget immediately after listening to"
I want margarita
kinda hate it kinda love it
This is quite nice. Is it before-you-die-worthy? Probably not.
Summery. Light. Floating. Enjoyable.
I kinda liked this. Had a real nice groove in spots
Was going OK until Sunshine when the tuneless nonsense started. However the next 3 songs were really good. I wish the site was out of ten as its hard to distinguish .
Not a bad listen at all
Dreamy
Quite laid back music, OK for easy listening, but nothing grabbed me about this
Never heard this before but enjoyed it. Reminiscent of Air (French Band) in places. Nothing special, but can see that I might put it on in the background and will explore their other albums.
Meh. There were points where I was really digging it and others where I wasn't.
Ok, I guest.
Better as background music.
Never heard of this band. Pretty chill but nothing groundbreaking.
Perfect cool vibes on a rainy, dreary day. Otherwise, very generic, kinda eclectic/fusion sounds. Nothing really stands out.
Good
Ende gefiel mir besser als der Rest, also die letzten Songs meine ich, nicht das es aufgehört hat :D
ganz nett
ganz chillig
Reading about this album I thought it didn't sound good but it was ok on listening. Pretty harmless and was good background music for folding and putting away laundry
6.5/10
I thought this was a good album until we got to the very last song. What was that “Lo Fi Hip Hop Beats to Study and Chill To” ass bullshit doing on there?
first time listening to this, and I wasn’t aware of em before now. a handful of fun moments, but ultimately nothing really stood out to me. a fine enough listen, but I’m not sure what it’s doing on this list.
A pleasant enough album, but hypothetically, if you pop an Oxy and start to feel its effects as you cruise down the highway listening to this album, it’s a hell of a vibe. 3.5
Cuteish. Still didn't need to listen to it before dying.
Not my genre, but the instrumental are very very good
I've had Free The Bees for ages. This is in the same vain. Sunny, fun, and all over the shop. Pleasant enough but 'must hear before you die' seems a bit much.
I liked it, thought it was rather good.
really inventive, hops btwn genres like crazy. feels a bit too cerebral in the experiments for me at times but i really liked a minha menina, sky holds the sun (so dreamy and lush and romantic), you got to leave
Not terrible, but also unremarkable
It’s not bad but just sounds like typical brewery music.
It's better than I thought it would be, but not something wild
I enjoyed this listen, it had some cool concepts worked in and made for a decent listen. It didn’t necessarily grab me in any significant way but was good for a background sort of album. I did really enjoy A Minha Menina quite a bit, it had some fun flair to it. I did find that their blend of psychedelic indie rock and jazz components worked well and I liked this but don’t think I’ll return to it. 3 stars
wack
Perfectly pleasant album with some nice tunes but a bit underwhelming. Worth a listen though. Doesn’t quite get a 4.
Sunny and cute Indie Pop. I'm not sure how big and/or acclaimed it was back in 2002, but by the end of the decade no one ever mentioned this album or band. Given they're British, my guess is that they were the NME flavor of the week at some point. I do like it, though. It has thay lazy summer afternoon atmosphere that I adore, although other albums do it better, like the Beach House one I got a few weeks back. Terrible Portuguese accent on "A Minha Menina". Key tracks: Punchbag
This is fine but doesn't do much to me past Punchbag. Low 3
A very mellow, enjoyable album.
Its been a couple weeks and I don't really remember what happened here. Speaks to something I guess.
this album was meant to be listened to on a lazy, sunny august day by the garden shed. instead i listened to this at the office on a cold, rainy day in march that still feels like winter. this is not the album‘s fault, but mine neither.
An original debut from a man on the scene with a blend of psychedelics.
Solid album. Pretty fun as well
Perfectly fine but missable indie rock album
Punchbag - 7/10. I like it. Angryman - 6/10. Pretty cool. No Trophy - 7/10. Nice. Binnel Bay - 6/10. Fun. Sunshine - 6/10. Solid. A Minha Menina - 7/10. Lots of fun. This Town - 6/10. Fun. Sweet Like a Champion - 6/10. Weird, but not bad. Lying in the Snow - 6/10. Nice. Zia - 7/10. Very nice. Sky Holds the Sun - 6/10. Good. Overall Rating - 3.18/5 (6.36/10). Fun, but musical chewing gum.
Made me laugh out loud but not sure it held my interest long enough to make me remember to check them out again.
pretty-sounding and it was fun to get a cover of an Os Mutantes track just days after I first listened to Os Mutantes, from this project. They're a little too drifty and dreamy for me, or at least this album is, but I like their lyrics and style.
It's cute. It's chill. idk. The cover was the best one.
- Interesting blend of jazz fusion, a bit of reggae, and some afro jazz
The classic, fine enough while its on but not that crazy about it. Its for sure not my main lane type music which is fine. Its just not all that memorable for me. I did like a minha menina. For sure my favorite song and worth a save but I wouldn't say its my favorite thing in the world. Just off the record. Good enough time but ive heard better as well as much worse
I've never heard of these guys. I was inclined to give up after the second song, but persevered. In the end, I thought this album was pretty enjoyable, if not really my kind of jam. I probably won't listen to it again, but I'm glad I did this once.
3/5 - At times I forgot this was playing, but I was never annoyed. No idea The Bees existed before. I mostly got along with their relaxing vibe.
New to me and interesting sound. I liked it but it never really got going for me. Liked Sunshine. Would listen again
Not essential listening but breezy enough for a sunny morning
Nice vibes. Easy listening.
Pleasant surprise, this album feels like summer. It's warm and has a very laid back and nice groove with a lot of different influences. It got a little bland at times, the strongest half is definitely the first. Best song: Punchbag Worst song: Binney Bay Cover check: He looks like a happy wrestler ready to wrassle in the sun
Bedre end forventet. Meget tilbagelænet.
3,1/5
Bit of a strange one again. Not a bad album, but doesn't really go anywhere. Didn't mind up, just nothing that stands out.
3/5
Didn't hate it but didn't love it either.
Retro reggae soul indie vibe. Summery sweet not sacchrin. Will listen again.
Boppy and fun. A throwback to early Brit Pop.
Perfectly pleasant but didn’t stay with me.
Siento que esto es de lo más indie que podés encontrar urgando en la música indie, casi como la banda sonora de una película clase B (lo digo en forma positiva). Respecto al contenido, encuentro canciones muy interesantes y otras tantas olvidables.
This one kind of felt all over the place. It wasn't bad per se, but everytime it felt good enough to warrant listening again it would just get kind of blah after.
2.5
5.5/10
2/26/26. Definitely has that 2000s indie vibe, but on the chill side. Lot of cool tunes to kick back to, while playing with various genres throughout. The first track is my favorite.
Be right back, adding this to my summertime play list
Listening session: february 24th, while sitting in the train Listened to before: no Thoughts: expected a bit of hipster 00s music and I was correct, but I was pleasantly surprised by the intro of the first track and the piano stuff. I could see myself listening to it on a sunny day Favourite tracks: Punchbag, Zia & Sky Holds the Sun
It's pretty pleasant. It was a nice thing to play on a day where Spring was finally threatening to arrive and there was a bit of sunshine in the sky. I like the cover.
fun, pleasant, melodious. had never heard of them before.
A perfectly pleasant but, ultimately, forgettable album. I'm not sure why it's on the list.
It didn't offend me
So another band I’ve never previously known about, but there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s a kind of hypnotic vibe over the first couple of songs, namely Angryman. I hear some indie vibes in the guitar parts but some trippy/psychedelic elements almost. “A Minha Menina” is such a weird song but I kinda love it. That chromatic sounding guitar riff is so contrasting to how the rest of the song sounds, but man it’s catchy I’ll give them that. So I’ve just seen this is a cover but still, I enjoyed it though I don’t know the original. There’s some nice songwriting here, I will say at times it’s maybe not engaging enough. Some songs I do find a bit boring and feel left wanting a bit more. But they know how to create an atmosphere when they want to and the back end of the album shows this. Overall I’m mixed – it’s sort of unique enough in it’s own way, I just feel they could maybe deviate more and offer a bit more.
Pleasant, but maybe best as background music.
Honestly kind of like this a little bit parts of it reminded me of mcCartney from 71 through 73 and that it was playful and didn't mind just kind of hopping a little bit in genres just to stab at something new. But he obviously doesn't have the same catchy earworm melodism as McCartney. "A Minah Menina" and the instrumental "Sunshine" were my personal favorite tracks. But I think all in all there wasn't really anything that stuck out to me is bad. All in all are really fun listen. (7.5) ★★★½
Fun genreblending, but feels to lightweight.3 stars
I thought this album was alright. It started off pretty well and kind of felt like proto-Vampire Weekend or something, but kind of dragged a bit as time went on. 3 stars.
3.5
Like Nicolas Cage I have to say “Not the Bees” because as chill n groovy as they are they are they don’t really deserve to be on this list. They’re a bit like the “Beeta” Band in that they’re cool but they haven’t really made a consistently great album that is truly 1001 worthy. The main claim to fame of this one is Brazilian cover A Minha Meinina which was used in an advert once. Other tracks here cop a real true soulful, jazzy, carribean blend but in the second half it does gets a bit too dusky and also especially middling. Such a shame but songwise it is a case of 1001-Worthy Not Hit Me.
Indie rock.
Interesting indie music, simple and creative. Relaxing. But I don't like the dreamy vocals. Its sounds like two singers chanting or a main singer with annoying backing vocals. This could have been a good instrumental band. Thanks to this album, which contains a cover of "A Minha Menina", after many years I listened again to Os Mutantes. Best tracks for me are "Sunshine" and "Zia".
2.5
If not for some Jamaican rhythms I'd have gone with a 2. Generally dull, but still unique.
Cool and creative. Some of it works and some doesn't.
I enjoy this one very much. The tone is relaxing and balanced. Has a good combination of acoustic and electronic elements. A sweet little listen. But I guess you should be in the right mood for. The first half or so contains more content, from there it gets more atmospheric. For me today it still worked. Maybe I needed this kind of album. Anyway, I think a solid 3 will give it justice.
an all over the place album that actually seems to work.
Nice.
meh
Very nice for writing.
Took a second for me to vibe with this but I ended up enjoying it! Chill, lofi, Ram-era McCartney style. Thankfully short so rewarded relistening as I got on its level. Still not really sure if it’s special enough to make it on this list but it was pleasant.
I had never heard of this group before. Overall an enjoyable album and I'll be listening to some of their other albums in the near future. Finding new groups like this is my favorite part of this random album challenge.
Almost 4 stars
Not bad
An interesting selection of musical styles, but yeah, nothing really stood out for me.
Man after those first two songs I REALLY wanted to like it, but I must say that the rest isn't exactly up to par. I did like the overall chill energy of the album, the hints of funk and upbeat. But by the end it felt bland until I replayed it for Punchbag and Angryman. Nice listen overall. Personal favorites: Punchbag, Angryman, Sunshine
Never heard of these guys, not sure how this album ended up on this list. Different. Hipster vibes, not sure how I’d describe it otherwise. Music and vocals were droning and annoying at times and I had to skip quite a few songs, especially towards the end, but there were several songs that were decent. I’d give it a 2.5, but I’ll round up because they seem to have some talent. (3)
I was vibing for the most part. Really liked instrumentals on the jazzier songs. Some of the hokeyier songs brought it down.
fun
I love The Bees. It’s weird this is the album on this list cuz it is definitely their worst and least dynamic. Still has decent moments though
Hmm a band I had never heard, was pleasantly surprised😊
Not bad
Largely unmemorable - it doesn’t strike me as anything exceptional but serves as an example of early 2000s UK-Indie.
me ha gustado pero tampoco me ha cambiado la vida...muy para estudiar de fondo
I don’t know how to feel about this one. Medium-ighs and medium-lows all over the place. I appreciated the whole album certainly creates a single vibe and works as a single thing, but I’m not sure what that vibe really is. I love the ridiculous album cover, especially the bespoke puffy little white cloud around the mouth hole. Also the album ended so out of the blue I had to double check, so certainly didn’t feel too long. But I didn’t end with a nice satisfied feeling either. I’m going to have to settle in the middle on the one; perhaps I’d like it better with another listen. But do I even want to give it another listen? I don’t even know.
I have a soft spot for this album for two reasons: 1) I physically owned the thing in CD which seems like a completely antiquated concept now, and 2) it introduced me to Os Mutantes via their cover of A Minha Menina
4.5
These guys are good, and I liked the album, but I didn’t hear anything that warrants them getting on the 1,001 list.
this record is nice and calm, pretty much what I need for now! However its pretty much between 3 and 4 Im gonna let it be at 3!
Very mellow, not overly exciting, couple of interesting tracks here and there, ⭐⭐⭐
Gear: SIMGOT EA1000 Fermat Artwork: 🤼🎭🖍️ Production: 😌👂🧈 Music: 🏖️🌞😎 Rating: 🐝🐝🐝(🐝)/5
This dreamlike chords are nothing like I´ve heard before. Not life changing, but still very nostalgic.
Unremarkable.
czill bomba
Well produced and easy to listen to.
rock indie não é algo que eu costumo consumir muito (por não gostar), mas esse álbum é legalzinho de escutar. é uma escuta bem tranquila e relaxante. é um álbum ok, não tem nada de muito extraordinário.
3.5
3.5 i really enjoy this one w a spliff at golden hour
An enjoyable listen. I hear some Metronomy, some Arcade Fire, some 60s do-wop. Not sure how or where I would listen on the regular. 3/5
This is a weird one. It’s certainly interesting, and initially I really didn’t care for it. But as I listened it grew on me a little.
Sounds a bit like later day Beatles or early 70s psychedelia done by a singer-songwriter. Some elements of Chicago as well. The problem is that there is nothing new or exciting here. This makes me wonder why it’s on this list. I am instantly wary of albums on this list from the 2000s because so many are forgettable. I think the author was just hearing these albums while writing the first edition of the book and thought, “ I should include this as a future classic”. The problem is that most of these were forgettable when released and over 20 years later, they are still not classic. It would be fine to fall asleep to or to have it on in the background as you give the dog a bath or do your taxes.
I listened to this at 7:30 in the morning on 22nd December, having just returned from Southern Italy to England for Christmas. It was still dark out! Decent album, I'm going to listen to Os Mutantes now.
More interesting than the usual UK stuff, but not innovative