Free The Bees - The Bees [Band of Bees]
Free The Bees Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

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  • Summary: This '60s-influenced sophomore release from the Isle of Wight-based duo was recorded at Abbey Road.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Billboard
    100
    A monumental step forward in the progression of the group's sound.
  2. Uncut
    80
    As satisfying as it is stylish. [Jul 2004, p.95]
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Some of 'Free The Bees' could have been recorded 40 years ago and some of it could have been beamed down from an orbiting space station 3,000 years further along the pipe than us. [26 Jun 2004, p.54]
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  4. Dot Music
    60
    The melodies are mostly jaunty and the stoner harmonies solar-powered enough to lull around your brain but there’s no disguising the fact it’s a disappointingly one-dimensional record stuffed with half-baked ideas (“The Start”) and devoid of a single original thought.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. TomS
    10
    One of the greatest albums of the last ten years. Genius songwriting pulling together a completely fresh modern indie rock sound with startlingly authentic vintage 60s and 70s vinyl junkie influences. highly recommended.… Expand
  2. TimI
    10
    rewards with repeated listening. One of the best of 2005
  3. JevonR
    10
    I can not stop listening to this album. Yes it sounds like something beemed out of 1968, but who the hell cares. This is soul, this is rock, this is a wall of symphonic banging that bursts out of your speakers and won't let you go.… Expand
  4. Bertha
    8
    Every reviewer on this page that dogged this album sounds like a music-geek asshole. The pitchfork one was harsh for no reason. It sounded like the reviewer was personally insulted by A Band Of Bees deciding they wanted to play around with some "old" sounds. That brings me to another point. You could "discredit" any artist by tracing their influences. It's pointless trying to draw some arbitrary line that divides influence from imitation. If a band likes to cite their influences, and if you dig the sounds, then what the fuck is the big deal? A Band of Bees may never land on top of a "most influential" list, but they craft some damn good pop songs.… Expand

See all 12 User Reviews

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