Various - Bumblebear Friends and Family Vol 1

  by Olga Sladeckova

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

Label: Bumblebear
Format: CD

intro

It has been a quiet time for releases at New York's BumbleBEAR label.Its bands have, however, been working at full speed during 2001 to prepare some brand new sounds to put out early next year . Wh

It has been a quiet time for releases at New York's BumbleBEAR label.Its bands have, however, been working at full speed during 2001 to prepare some brand new sounds to put out early next year . While it is often very busy, BumbleBEAR, however, never forgets about its fans. For this quiet time, here, therefore, is 'The BumbleBEAR Friends and Family'. It is a split release with another American label Honey Records, and both previews forthcoming releases, and also captures together songs which have been left over from previous recordings. This 18-track compilation holds together many different kinds of sound.There is country-like guitar from Sabado Domingo, Bugs Eat Books (I can never stop wondering what the story is behind this name. I will tell you as soon as I find out.) and Veteran. Once you get The Bugs in your head singing 'From The Trainers Of A Terrorist' they won't leave. I can't complain. Koko And The Future, The Boys' Star Library and Fabu tune in with a calm sound. Their guitar based songs are outstanding for their creativity and strong vocals. To extend the range of choice, The Emily Rock Group, who recently released their BumbleBEAR debut 'Pop and Fade', and Bull of Heaven generously provide a rockier sound. Fabu throw in a vocally significant song next to which you get drums and sprinkles of violin and guitars. The Nines then play an assertive number, which reflects against the softer Dipstick & Eggnog. Both spirits, however, relate well as each has a retrospective sound. Jen Turrell impresses with her gentle melodies. Fans of Belle and Sebastian will love her. The Bright Lights, by toying with a flute childishly, upgrade the compilation's originality. You just wonder what kind of surprise is waiting for you on the next track. And here it comes-Deli Meat singing about snow and jingling their guitars around. Mike Skinner contributes toward the compilation with the leftover but artfully composed instrumental tune 'Seven'. The almost rappy Fresh Air Kids and Dj Dij were added as bonus to make the Bumble-Honey venture longer and shuffle around further the final taste of the compilation. Considering what I first said about this being a quiet time for releases, I take my words back. It might have been a quiet time at BumbleBEAR, but with The BumbleBEAR Friends & Family it has not been. This compilation is going to be followed tightly by many of the BumbleBEAR bands releasing individual albums and EPS. If there will ever be a similarly peaceful time, Jimmy Hughes, The head of BumbleBEAR records, promises a second volume to this Family-Friendly compilation. P.S.: With regards to Bugs Eat Books name, "their name is from a sign that was in a library (where Rob, the singer/guitarist, went to college, I think)." says Jimmy. "The sign said something about keeping the library clean because food can attract bugs and "bugs eat books"…

Track Listing:-