Octopus - The Bees [Band of Bees]
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. On 'Octopus' The Bees find their groove and sound blissfully unaware whether anyone else is listening. You should, they've made their best album yet.
  2. Not sure what you'd file it under, but while that may worry some, for The Bees it's yet another triumph.
  3. The Bees have made a record sparkling with enough wit and ingenuity to make the past seem an undiscovered country well worth visiting.
  4. Outlandish and of infinite humour, Octopus is an LP to die for.
  5. This rampant eclecticism has drawn comparisons between the Bees and the now-defunct Beta Band, but the Beta Band was never this much fun.
  6. 70
    The Bees have a nose for sniffing out fine pop melodies. [Apr 2007, p.93]
  7. 70
    The product of a joyously short attention span. [Jul 2007, p.92]
  8. At the heart of this album is a trio of absolute killers.
  9. 60
    A little too relaxed for its own good. [Apr 2007, p.108]
  10. A mixed bag. [Apr 2007, p.117]
  11. The Bees are clearly excellent musicians able to adopt styles at will, but have sacrificed their identity to offer an alternative to compilation albums at this summer's barbecues.
  12. Although combining an assortment of sounds may seem risky, they've managed to produce a solid album, fusing jazz, soul, '60s rock 'n' roll and playful lyrics into a tight 10 tracks.
  13. Staunch fans won't be disappointed, but it's hard to envisage new ears pricking up on hearing 'Octopus' woeful musings.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. juanz.
    8
    They made a step forward in my opinion, so cheers for that!!!
  2. ThomsaB.
    10
    Genius songwriting with stellar vintage production. Hommages to all that is good in music. Best band in the UK.
  3. PhillipVanWagoner
    10
    While "Free the Bees" conjured images of a Beatles' reunion, 'Octopus' calls upon a wider variety of influences, and fits them all together beautifully. A solid '10', albeit to it's predecessor's '10.5' Full Review »