Three EPs, The - Beta Band (The)

Advantages: Totally unique
Disadvantages: not

The Beta Band were formed by a group of classically trained musicians from music college. Now, what would you expect when I tell you this?, I bet nothing like the Beta Band actually sound. Low-fi genius, shuffling drums, an array of instruments, samples, mixing decks, acoustic guitars, muffled loud-hailer vocals, and songs just totally off the wall. The 3-eps is the better album to buy rather than the 2nd self-titled "Beta Band" album, from the ...
..."Monolith" - the combination of their first 3 e.p singles (hence the name) is like a greatest hits album, and totally a must. I saw this band live about 18 months ago promoting their 2nd album. They were totally amazing, I've never seen so many different instruments played on stage, and even more amazingly mid-song. You can't do that in a band!!, the singer puts down his guitar wanders behind the decks while the drummer picks up a bass guitar, the ... Read review

Advantages: Everything.
Disadvantages: Nothing.

Anyone who heard the Beta's debut album proper and thought "What the hell is this load of old toss?!" would do well to backtrack and check out this collection. Quite simply, it was the best album of '98. The imagination, songwriting talent and range of influences displayed herein puts pretty much every other band to shame. Rock, folk, reggae, dub, dance, hip-hop...it's all here. You can see why everyone from Blur to Radiohead has admitted to going ...
...of Dry The Rain sets the tone perfectly. There are lyrics like "Spray-on noses are the greatest thing...since the light". It sounds almost introverted until it explodes into a full-grown anthemn, complete with trumpet fanfare. From then on you're hooked. Thrill to the mantra-chant of B+A. Chill to the mournful Dr.Baker. Slap your legs like a funky gibbon to the instant-classic She's The One. Marvel at how the Beta Band incorparate instrumants they ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful songs of epic proportion
Disadvantages: Can't think of any, probably because this is near perfect

The Beta Band made 3EPs, releasing them with good reviews, but not gaining general recognition. But as time moved on, people wanted to get "Patty Patty Sound EP" etc. only to find it had become a collectable and costing a small fortune. And so the idea of releasing the 3 seperate EPs as one album was born. Getting the songs to the fans for a fraction of the price. And what a gem this albm is. From the repetition of "Take me in, Dry the rain, the ...
...In My Eyes, Cripple me tonight, alright" there is no getting away from the fact the Beta Band have not only got a distinctive sound. Steve Mason's haunting voice, choir like on many songs. But they also have lyrics that are catchy and simple. And by keeping things simple, there's a very relaxing quality to this album. It always lifts me when I'm feeling down. The Beta Band inspire, Oasis tried desperately to get this sound across on their last album, ... Read review

Advantages: Chilled, lo-fi, basically poppy at heart
Disadvantages: Some tracks fairly inaccessible

...but this compilation of their three earlier EPs (as you might have guessed) is generally agreed to be pretty much out of the top drawer. Here we see why the originals have been changing hands for prices roughly the same as the national debt of a small country. It starts with 'Dry The Rain,' an eight-or-so minute piece of chilled, narco-rock, which sets the tone for the proceeding tracks. 'Inner Meet Me' is famous for being (allegedly) ripped of ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant value for money!
Disadvantages: None!

The Three EPs fuses together The Beta Band's first three extended play releases 'Champion Versions', 'The Patty Patty Sound ' and 'Los Amigos del Beta Bandidos'. To be honest, without the title of this album, you would never know, as the music seems to fuse into one masterpiece that can only be regarded as three concept albums fused into one. I can only say that this effort from the Scottish 'media unfriendly' band is absolutely brilliant. Their ...
...successful. The album revolves around three songs that were on the three original EP's called 'Dry the Rain' opening with the sound of an English country garden; the instrumental 'B+A'; and the love song 'She's the One', there is even a blend of Gregorian chanting and piano on 'Dr Baker', pure genius. Each song builds from humble beginnings into a rapturous but laid-back sound that truly inspires and gives you a sense of warmth. There is something ... Read review