I have had the great pleasure of hearing Hot Shots II, the new album by the Beta Band. From the off (starting with the fantastic Squares; The original choice for a first single that was pulled as it uses the same sample as I Monster’s latest single - And as such sounds very similar.) this album displays the delicate and subtle mixing of eclectic sounds that typifies the Beta’s previous releases. The distant, Sixties, trippy vocals from Stephen Mason are still deeply odd if not disturbing at times.

Pulling sounds from all over the place and gelling them into a consistent and faultless whole seems to be the mark of the Beta Band. They are at times reminiscent, but not a derivative, of the Stone Roses and Simon & Garfunkle. Compare The Roses’ Elizabeth My Dear with Gone and you will see what I mean.

There is an apparent simplicity of structure to tracks that have so many disparate sounds. I would describe them as indie meets triphop but neither indie nor Triphop can describe them properly. This is summer music and an essential for chilled out beach parties.

By way of a sampler to the album is Broke, the single. Richard Greentree’s beats and John Maclean’s keyboards give very ’80’s remix’ feel to this one - and not in a bad way!

Mason sings like he is in church sometimes; Hymns praising some strange God of Cool. Err Probably…

Label: Regal
Release date: 16th July 2001

Tracklist:

1. Squares
2. Al Sharp
3. Human Being
4. Dragon
5. Life
6. Broke
7. Quiet
8. Alledged
9. Gone
10. Eclipsed