the Beta Band

Editor's Review:

The comic book-inspired cover of The Beta Band’s third official album hints at a return to the loose, unpredictable, pop-experimentalism that defined the band’s early material. While this is not entirely accurate, the Scottish group has done a pretty good job of bridging the gap between their previous work and the more focused, glossy songs of 2001’s Hot Shots II. Where that album seemed to tame the band a little too much with its heavy amounts of production sheen, Heroes To Zeros was wisely produced by the Betas themselves, and they allow for much more breathing room here. Curiously, the album hits its stride early with the excellent one-two punch of “Lion Thief” and “Easy.” The former starts off as a simple folk song, drops into a bizarre breakdown, and then comes back in with a tight hip-hop beat, as Stephen Mason repeats the phrase, “Where do you go when you hide your love away?” “Easy” provides the album’s most entertaining two-and-a-half minutes, sounding like a condensed version of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” thrown into the Beta’s psychedelic blender. However, the album isn’t without its flaws. The second half really feels weaker than the first, and in its entirety, the whole record lacks a complete feel. Also, the lyrics this time around are a little weaker than their previous efforts. Stephen Mason gets caught up repeating cheesy mantras like “She’s so wonderful” or “I love you to pieces” way too often and for far too long. Small gripes aside, this is still miles above what imitators like The Coral have released recently.
– Landon Moblad
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Record Label Astralwerks Released May 2004

Tracks Assessment Space Lion Thief Easy Wonderful Troubles Out-Side Space Beatle Rhododendron Liquid Bird Simple Pure For