Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite perfect, 9 Feb 2006
The Beta Band were outsiders on the so called indie scene, in the late 90's dominated by the likes of Coldplay, Travis etc. While they were more than willing to the flaws in their music, they were way to harsh on themselves. Rarely laspsing in to indulgence, the three Eps of the title show the variety of the early Beta Band. Starting with what is probably the most well-rounded of the EPs, the Champion Versions, the loose signatures of the Beta Band are put to good use. Opener Dry the Rain could well be the best track on the album, with the band completely taking off during the second chorus, never to really return again. The seal of quality is maintained over the course of the four songs, a welcome relief from forced anthems of the time. The Patty Patty Sounds is where the Beta Band really abandon song structures, with all of the songs at over 6 minutes. Monolith is the logical extreme of this, and the reason that the EP could'nt be entered into the EP charts, as it was too long. "She's The One" is often acclaimed as the best song on the whole album, with two equally divided sections; the first a fairly usual Beta Band song, the second a complete revelation. Los Amigos... is different to anything the band did since, the darker themes of the EP explored on the tail end of their first full-length. It starts with Push It Out, my personal favourite of the set. The song has an incredibly tense opening, no insrtuments apart from percussion, and slowly builds to a strangley uplifting climax. The general feel of the EP is ramshackle, with most of the instruments slightly detuned. This album is one of the best debuts of the decade, and is how this sadly short-lived band should be remembered.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just about as mind-blowingly trippy as you can get!, 24 Nov 2003
A credit to innovative and intelligent alternative music, the Beta Band remind you that it's ok to have fun when you're making music. 'The Three EPs' is an amalgamation of their 3 previous releases, 'Champion Versions', The Patty Patty Sound' and 'Los Amigos Del Beta Bandidos', and they all go together wonderfully. There is such a rich mix of folk, indie, jazz, dance, trip-hop and ambient, to mention but a great many others, that you'll never get bored of this album once it gets its teeth into you. Tracks like 'Dry the Rain' and 'B+A' are nice and easy to get into, gradually gaining more texture and sound as they move along, whilst 'The House Song' is a dance/indie affair with hilarious pseudo-French rapping, and 'Dr Baker' is a surreal mix of gregorian chanting and beautiful piano chords followed by crashing drums and crazy guitars. Perhaps the only real fault with 'The Three EPs' is that its eclecticness can make it an acquired taste, and not accessible to the younger listener. That aside however, this is a cracking album, and a must-have for the discerning music-lover.^_^
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure Genius...The Beta Band Gone but never forgotten, 7 Jan 2005
Genius...Pure Genius.
Very rarely in life does a band come along that completley change the way you listen to music ,maybe in the same way watching Resevoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction changed the way you watch movies.....for me that band was the Beta Band and the album 'The 3 EP's'.
I first heard a snippet of them about 5 years ago, on an NME programme ,where they played 'Dr Baker' and i was spellbound...
I immediately went on line and ordered a copy of 'The 3EP's' and my magical musical journey began.
The first track Dry the Rain is an incredible indie anthem which slowly meanders to a creshendo...just wait till that bassline kicks in!!!....you will be roaring the chorus'If there is something inside that you want to say...say it ,alright, it will be okay...i will be your light...i will be your life'....
Other outstanding tracks are...well all of them....but all in a unique and different way.....'Shes the One' will have you thrashing your Acoustic Air Guitar and belting out the chorus in a tonsil snapping fashion.
'Needles in my Eyes' is a gentle strole of a tune..beautiful...and 'Dogs got bone' follows in the same vein
giving you the impression they were horizontal when they recorded it!!..'Monolith' is not actually a song...more like a tripped out psychadelic dream sequence...it would help if you were 'in mode' to truly appreciate this track....'Push it out' is a tantric repetative tune that you will never tire of hearing ,with a message....repeat 200 times and you WILL feel better!!!.....i could go on but ill save the last mention to Dr Baker musically diverse punctuated with a sleepy piano rift that will take you by surprise the first time you hear it.......Breathtaking..Sadly the Beta Band have split(Nov2004) but their musical legacy will continue on through their amazing catalogue....for me this album is their best with the following 3 albums all coming close to brilliance of their first....
Steve Mason is continuing with his King Biscuit Time project with the other lads all off to persue their own magical musical journeys...
Steve,John,Richard and Robin...it has been my true pleasure.....Pure Genius and truly seminal....Thank You.
Kev
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Gorillaz | Format: MP3 Download
Marina And The Diamonds | Format: MP3 Download
Lady Gaga | Format: MP3 Download
Xx | Format: MP3 Download
White Lies | Format: MP3 Download
