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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Hot Shots II
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 14 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Astralwerks
Release Date: 17 July 2001
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Alternative, Rock
Summary
The second full-length (not including a collection of EPs) from Britain's heralded Beta Band is just as eclectic as the band's first outing, combining pop and indie rock with touches of hip hop and electronica. The ten new tracks are highlighted by the singles "Squares" and "Broke." (And if the immodest album title reminds you of the Stone Roses' 'Second Coming,' don't worry--the comparisons end there.)
Also By This Artist: Heroes To Zeros
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: King Biscuit Time: Black Gold The Aliens: Astronomy For Dogs
Also On The Web: Beta Band Page @ Astralwerks Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Ink Blot Magazine
It's not quite as immediate as, say, the Champion Versions EP, but 10 plays bear out the truth: this is the best Beta Band record yet, which means you should waste no time getting your hands on it.
Read Full Review >Launch.com
Celebrating nonsense and good sense, Beta Band make music from junk and found sounds, their quirky combo of serendipity and sample skills paying off in spades.
Read Full Review >Spin Cycle
The quartet has cooled its eclectic babbling, and "Hot Shots II" whirrs and purrs like a gleeming silver sports car.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
On Hot Shots II, they finally veer back on track, albeit in their own charmingly wobbly way. [20 Jul 2001, p.66]
Almost Cool
The group shows that their goofy sides can peacefully coexist with their harmonious, pop-song writing ones.
Read Full Review >Magnet
Unlike its predecessor's quirky pop stance, Hot Shots is defiantly, mindbendingly progadelic -- suitable for controlled-substance consumption galore. [#51, p.85]
New Musical Express
'Hot Shots II' is a dizzy, magical voyage of self-discovery - concise where its predecessor was unfocused, immediate where the pop urge was once lacking.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
It's a stride towards true excellence. Although likely to remain a cult item, The Beta Band are now easier to embrace than ever, less pastoral and more direc, courtesy of a clear, sharp, intensely rhythmic new sound... [#180, p.97]
Dot Music
The result is largely the mature second album that we were hoping for with Steve Mason's magical way with a tune still proving capable of injecting an awe-inspiring and yet indefinable emotional resonance to everything he touches.
Read Full Review >E! Online
The overall psychedelic mood works wonders for any self-respecting fan of the Beach Boys and David Bowie.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
One of the most distinctive and satisfying records you'll hear all summer.
Read Full Review >CDNow
The Beta Band evokes the lushness of '60s AM popsters the Association in its soft vocal ensembles while demonstrating an instrumental prowess ("Eclipse") that recollects the lo-fi sonic buzz of Flying Saucer Attack.
Read Full Review >Mojo
The key problem lies in the album's occasional sense of underachieving drift. [Aug 2001, p.104]
Spin
It's hard to find a heart beneath the haze.... [Aug 2001, p.129]
HOB.com
There are times when a few rough edges might make these songs more compelling.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
Hot Shots II recalls the repetitive excellence of 1998's The Three E.P.'s, with still more chant-like repetition and scarcely a change... [Aug 2001, p.76]
Rolling Stone
Hot Shots II does its best to return to the epic soundscapes of The Three E.P.'s; the long grooves and easy melodies are back, and the band's tendency toward the diffuse has been reined in.
Read Full Review >Splendid
It's good stuff, to be sure -- but if Hot Shots II excites you at all, it's probably time to lay off the pot.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Nick R gave it a10:
Their best album. Not a dull moment and full of ideas. Like all the best music, it sounds unique and not something you hear everyday. This has to be in my all time top 5. Truly magnificent.
Ace Kabob gave it a9:
I bought this disc after hearing "Squares", "Human Being", and "Quiet" on Accuradio.com's High Fidelity channel. Outstanding disc - even better than I expected.
Danny H gave it a10:
Hella awesome
Mark gave it a 5:
Not a patch on their earlier stuff. This record is dull, not mature, when compared to The Three EP's and the self-titled debut. Here's hoping that their new album will be more exciting.
sam w gave it a 10:
lovely and delightful recordinds for every occasion. divine and essential. a perfect mix of genres. need i say more? even the bonus track is super special. great work right here.
brody gave it a 9:
this album gets a 9 for one reason only. the bonus track, won, while it's a pretty decent song/rap experiment in its own right, totally ruins what would have been the perfect closing of the record, "eclipse". other than the bonus track, simply amazing from start to finish.
Jim H gave it a 10:
Excellent
