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The
Beta Band
Hot Shots II
label: astralwerks
released: 06.26.01
our score: 3.5 out of 5.0
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After what
the band perceived as an imperfect attempt at an album release,
Scottish folktronic group The Beta Band decided to take a second
stab at record-making. The results, although not perfect, are
a clearly satisfying selection of zone-out unclassifiable jams.
Zone-out because of the slow-paced driving beats inherent throughout
the entire disc. Unclassifiable because, honestly... you can't
really classify anything from The Beta Band.
They don't
rock, but they sure as hell can rock out. They don't bump, but
they sure as hell know a good beat. They are what they are, and
always have been, a largely untapped treasure just waiting for
the people to discover.
Amassing influences
from the gamut of the musical spectrum, Hot Shots II succeeds
in all the ways their self-titled release didn't. It builds upon
the hippy-esque jam sessions found on their classic Three EPs
and takes their unmistakable love of hip-hop and reggae for a
combination unlike no other.
Tracks such
as "Al Sharp" and "Squares" stand out, most notably for their
catchy hooks. Yet songs like "Eclipse" display a penchant for
comedic philosophizing, proof the band still refuses to take itself
completely seriously.
And thank
God for that. With the recent barrage of so-called European "artists"
being shoved down the throats of North America, it's refreshing
to come across an album that truly delivers... without forcing
us to realize it.
22-Apr-2002 11:00 PM
If you
liked Hot Shots II...
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Tracklist:
1. Squares
2. Al Sharp
3. Human Being
4. Gone
5. Dragon
6. Broke
7. Quiet
8. Alleged
9. Life
10. Eclipse
11. Won
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