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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best yet., 6 May 2004
The long-awaited follow up to 2001's 'Hot Shots II' kicks off in promising style with the single, 'Assessment.' As a statement of intent, they don't come any bolder than this; a swirling, driving beast of a tune, it seems to combine all the previous elements of the Beta boys' career. This makes it the obvious choice for a single, but it is by no means the standout track. All the songs on this album are imbued with something which shows why the Beta Band are such an essential part of the contemporary British music scene. Whilst I am unsure as to precisely what that 'something' is, it definitely contains an aura of originality that has often been copied, but which shall always lack the resonance of the genuine article.'Space', the second track picks up gamely where 'Assessment' left off with swaggering bass/drum interaction that betrays the hip hop/dub influence the Beta Band have internalised and yet made entirely their own. 'Lion Thief', has been an early fan favourite, harking back to the Three EP's era with it's folk inflected intro before progressing to a groove centred piece utilising the same riff. This is also an excellent example of the way the whole album works, described by Beta Band frontman Steve Mason as like 'the Milky Way in a tea cup.' This is an album that initially feels densely layered, with whole new spaces opening up open repeated listening. However, if one really pays attention, it becomes apparent that the songs seem to wax and wane, building euphorically to a swell only to plunge the listener into a brief space where Steve Mason's voice is given full reign to pervade your entire being. This is no more obvious than in the sprawling funk of 'Easy', though Richard Greentree takes on vocal duty here. 'Out-Side' raises the album back to exultant heights after a reflective break, only for 'Space Beatle' to combine downbeat verses with transcendent choruses. 'Rhododendron' sounds like 'Pet Sounds' for today, showcasing a beautiful organ sound coupled with synth melody and excellent percussion. Any retro vibe is rapidly dismantled by the futuristic indie dub groove of 'Liquid Bird', whose hard-edged sound is in turn countered by 'Simple.' The heart-rending introduction melds effortlessly with the gargantuan groove that follows it, echoing the Smiths in the way you want to dance and cry at the same time. This album works superbly as a whole, and goes a further step to fulfilling the potential that it has long been acknowledged is possessed by this band. The closing track, 'Pure For', offers the listener a resolution in the mantra of "I'm so glad you found me," nicely rounding off the emotional journey of the album. 'Heroes to Zeros' is an album tailored neatly to fit the crowd who find themselves alienated from the emotionally shallow music scene of today, and I hope it brings the Beta Band the success that has long eluded them.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More polished....and maybe their best album, 30 Nov 2004
Like many other fans of the Beta Band I did really like the 3-Eps and probably on balance their strongest individual songs feature there. However Heroes to Zeroes seems to gel together as a better overall album even though there may not be such a stand out track as "Dry the Rain". After a couple of reasonably dodgy albums my faith has been restored in them as a band with this release, and I am surprised it hasn't done better from a sales perspective. As a band they have always tried to be interesting and eclectic and this album certainly holds your attention.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece., 23 April 2004
The long-awaited follow up to 2001's 'Hot Shots II' kicks off in promisingstyle with the single, 'Assessment.' As a statement of intent, they don'tcome any bolder than this; a swirling, driving beast of a tune, it seemsto combine all the previous elements of the Beta boys' career. This makesit the obvious choice for a single, but it is by no means the standouttrack. All the songs on this album are imbued with something which showswhy the Beta Band are such an essential part of the contemporary Britishmusic scene. Whilst I am unsure as to precisely what that 'something' is,it definitely contains an aura of originality that has often been copied,but which shall always lack the resonance of the genuine article.
‘Space’, the second track picks up gamely where ‘Assessment’ left off withswaggering bass/drum interaction that betrays the hip hop/dub influencethe Beta Band have internalised and yet made entirely their own. ‘LionThief’, has been an early fan favourite, harking back to the Three EP’sera with it’s folk inflected intro before progressing to a groove centredpiece utilising the same riff. This is also an excellent example of theway the whole album works, described by Beta Band frontman Steve Mason aslike ‘the Milky Way in a tea cup.’ This is an album that initially feelsdensely layered, with whole new spaces opening up open repeated listening.However, if one really pays attention, it becomes apparent that the songsseem to wax and wane, building euphorically to a swell only to plunge thelistener into a brief space where Steve Mason’s voice is given full reignto pervade your entire being. This is no more obvious than in thesprawling funk of ‘Easy’, though Richard Greentree takes on vocal dutyhere.
‘Out-Side’ raises the album back to exultant heights after a reflectivebreak, only for ‘Space Beatle’ to combine downbeat verses withtranscendent choruses. ‘Rhododendron’ sounds like ‘Pet Sounds’ for today,showcasing a beautiful organ sound coupled with synth melody and excellentpercussion. Any retro vibe is rapidly dismantled by the futuristic indiedub groove of ‘Liquid Bird’, whose hard-edged sound is in turn counteredby ‘Simple.’ The heart-rending introduction melds effortlessly with thegargantuan groove that follows it, echoing the Smiths in the way you wantto dance and cry at the same time.
This album works superbly as a whole, and goes a further step tofulfilling the potential that it has long been acknowledged is possessedby this band. The closing track, ‘Pure For’, offers the listener aresolution in the mantra of “I’m so glad you found me,” nicely roundingoff the emotional journey of the album. ‘Heroes to Zeros’ is an albumtailored neatly to fit the crowd who find themselves alienated from theemotionally shallow music scene of today, and I hope it brings the BetaBand the success that has long eluded them.
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