Advantages: A superb album, very catchy, entertains throughout
Disadvantages: Still Tragicly underrated

...It seems strange that its been a couple of months since my last music review. So to get myself back into music reviews again I’ve decided to go for a recent addition to my music collection. The third album from, The Beta Band. They are one of the best kept secrets in the country, that in fact everyone will probably have heard at some point. I’m sure your probably wondering how that’s possible, well they appear on a number of soundtracks. Most notably one of the main tracks on Trigger happy TV was by The Beta Band and they also get a mention in High Fidelity. Coming out of Edinburgh they have risen slowly with 2 previous albums and a collection of their EP’s. It’s the appearance on Trigger Happy that really brought them to my attention and inspired me to seek out some music by the band. Although they receive a lot of coverage they seem... Read review

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Advantages: dreamy groove based sound
Disadvantages: diminishing returns

...The Beta-Band started their career by releasing 3-EPs of droning, hypnotic, lo-fi rock that secured them a reputation as rare musical alchemists. The band dislike media attention but that didn't stop them from reaching the ears of discerning music fans and developing a cult following, especially when The 3-EPs were collected onto one disc; the rather boringly titled "The Three EPs". Highlights included "Needles In My Eyes" and "She's The One", songs that were as charming as the band were publically surly. That compilation sold even more copies after the opening track "Dry The Rain" appeared in the film High Fidelity. Unfortunately the band have been unable to conjure quite the same magic since. Even the band dismissed their self titled debut LP as rubbish and the follow up "Hot Shots 2" had an overproduced slick sound that didn't quite... Read review

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Advantages: Touches your emotions
Disadvantages: None

...Citing influences ranging from the decidedly serious Martin Sheen to the asinine Chevy Chase to funkmaster Bootsy Collins, the Beta Band is a delight. This aptly titled compilation of three separately released EPs is sure to leave music fans scratching their collective head while trying to define this Scottish band's intricate aural hodgepodge. The Beta Band makes a very distinct and exciting impression. There's the unusual coupling of acoustic guitar, horn, sampled beats, and a catchy refrain on "Dry the Rain"; the hypnotic instrumental "B+A"; and "She's the One," which opens with a chaotic, hippyish drum circle that segues first to an anthemic chorus and then to a highly processed breakdown complete with a Jew's harp. The Three EPs will dominate the CD player, becoming somewhat of an obsession, with each listen revealing some brilliant... Read review

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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 through a "Beta Band pahase". The bobbing, acoustic shuffle 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... Read review

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Advantages: Great snapshot of a great indie band
Disadvantages: not heard enough to be appreciated

...Review of The Beta Band - Music (Best Of) Ever since I have started writing reviews on Ciao I have tried to find things that haven't been reviewed to death by others, in the hope of maybe creating something to inspire someone to buy something I have had enjoyment from. Music is my usual bag and this band, The Beta band are one of my all time favourites. The first time I had heard of them was way back in the day (mid to late 90s) when they fronted the latest NME claiming their new album (imaginatively titled 'the beta band') was "rubbish". They may have claimed it was rubbish but with the track 'Round the bend' being constantly played by Jo Whiley at the time; it was difficult to find any criticisms of that song in particular. The Beta Band are one of the most unique and innovative bands of their generation, its just a shame... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Flawed genius.
Disadvantages: Frankly, a bit of a mess.

...By anyone's standards, the 3 EPs was always going to be a hard act to follow, so it's refreshing to see that the Beta Band had the vision and imagination to f**k up in style. Admittedly, this album is a sprawling, half-baked, unfinished mess but I still love it. Apparently, the album consists of the semi-realised demoes that the band planned to deconstruct and reassemble - only the record company had other ideas, being unwilling to spend the money such an ambitious venture. Hence, the lyrics on Dance O'er The Border gradually descend into fully imrovised ramblings, while Simple Boy consists of nothing more than a vocal and a sparse beat. Obviously, the band thought that they could tidy everything up later. However, It's Not Too Beautiful, Broken Up A Ding-Dong and The Cow's Wrong are all brilliant, and right up there with the Beta... Read review

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Advantages: More concise, laid back Beta Band
Disadvantages: Less of the trademark sound-scapes

...With their second album proper, Scottish four-piece The Beta Band show that the excitement generated by "The 3 EP's" and "The Beta Band" is well placed indeed. From the moment the album opens with the brilliant single "Squares" you get the feeling the band had a much clearer idea of what they wanted to achieve with this record. Still lying somewhere between Sigur Ros and Radiohead, the Beta-boys still made here a truly original piece. The songs have the form which seemed missing from previous records, boiling down the million ideas they must of had to bring the listener the finest completed piece without sparing the integrity. Across all Beta Band albums you could pick off fantastic songs, with "Hot Shots II" you really feel at the end you've been on a journey. A sign of a great full length album. A strange sort of journey... Read review

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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 great trip-acoustic "Dry the Rain" to the epic insanity of "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... Read review

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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 rain, the rain, the rain, the rain now" to "Needles 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... Read review

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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 talent is beyond compare, with an array of musical instruments and styles being fused together into what can only be described as retro, but way ahead of its time. Fusing mainly Folk Music with Hip Hop and Indie, there is a uniqueness to the sound, which although is downbeat, is somehow uplifting. There's a psychedelic twinge to some of the tracks, which could easily nest next to early Bowie... Read review

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