Beta Band - Heroes To Zeroes

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 12 / 6 / 2004

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Review

Don't say you've not been warned ! 'Heroes To Zeros' doesn't have a wacko sleeve for nothing. After being embraced by Radiohead - I'll eat my hat if that doesn't ruin one's reputation - the Beta Band members decided it was time to produce themselves and to ask in a 'genuine' pro for the final mix. Even when there are way too many 'lalalala' choruses on the album, the songs on it resemble lullabies a lot less. The Beta Band have gone rawk in a sense. 'Heroes to Zeroes' has a beefy sound, and Steve Lillywhite-style rhythms intended to get the punters into bouncing around, but sadly enough the Beta Band have lost it in the mix on this album. The tracks are pretty impressive; what got on my nerves is the vogueish Syd Barrett touch to 'Heroes to Zeros'. Just like Stalin would like it, the Beta Band cheat on history and make their album sound as if it was a 1969/1970 release. No matter how innovative a few tracks on their self-loathed debut were, right now we're made to believe that this is what the Beta Band sounds like in 2004 which they don't unless you're in a hall with a mediocre system. 'Broken Up A Ding Dong' remains their true masterpiece and there's no equivalent to that on this latest offering. Go on, and enjoy 'Heroes to Zeros' , but do make sure you know everything that they have released beforehand.

Track Listing:-

1 Assessment
2 Space
3 Lion Thief
4 Easy
5 Wonderful
6 Troubles
7 Out-Side
8 Space Beatle
9 Rhododendron
10 Liquid Bird
11 Simple
12 Pure For