Name: Octopus by The Bees
Brand: The Bees
SKU: 094638198659
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4 (70 reviews)

ALBUM

The most intriguing collective of multi-instrumentalists since the Beta Band first began mixing an unholy array of accompaniment, the Bees (or A Band of Bees in America) channel some of the same '60s influences on Octopus as on their two previous records, and a few new ones as well. Fortunately, as usual, listeners who couldn't care less about playing a game of spot-the-influence are rewarded just as much as those who do; Octopus presents ten nuggets of effortless throwback pop, laid-back and breezy but tightly melodic. A trio of straightforward pop pleasers begins the album, all with the same jaunty, freewheeling character as a Beta Band jam (or a Kinks pastorale, for that matter). After a pair of marvelous detours -- "Got to Let Go" is organ-combo rock with a Caribbean flair á la Georgie Fame, while "Listening Man" echoes the high points of blue-eyed soul in the Rascals -- the Bees are back on track, although perhaps even more mellow than on the first half. Although not a concept album, Octopus does often return to the nautical theme (or more generally, travel away from home) that's de rigueur for indie rock during the 2000s, but here too, the Bees know that too much concept and not enough music is a bad trade-off. Without this set of brilliant songs or the masterful way they mix and match their instruments, the Bees wouldn't sound half as interesting as they do; they wouldn't be anything more than a retread of their '60s influences (or, perhaps, their retread of XTC's '60s influences).
© John Bush /TiVo

1. Who Cares What The Question Is?

by The Bees

Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher
Kris Birkin
Michael Clevett
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire; Composer
Lyricist: Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher
Kris Birkin
Michael Clevett
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher
Michael Clevett
Warren Hampshire
Tim Parkin
Kris Birkin; Other

2. Love In The Harbour

by The Bees

Acoustic Guitar: Kris Birkin; Performer
Arranger: Michael Clevett
Aaron Fletcher; Composer
Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Bass: Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Bass (vocal): Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Drums: Michael Clevett; Performer
Electric Guitar: Kris Birkin
Paul Butler; Performer
Hammond Organ: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Harmonica: Tim Parkin; Performer
Performer: Warren Hampshire
Tim Parkin
Kris Birkin
Michael Clevett
Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Tambourine: Paul Butler; Performer
Vocals: Paul Butler; Performer
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

3. Left Foot Stepdown

by The Bees

Arranger: Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler; Composer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Bass: Michael Clevett; Performer
Bass (vocal): Michael Clevett; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Kris Birkin; Performer
Hammond Organ: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Performer: Kris Birkin
Itchy Parkin
Andy Parkin
Paul Butler
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire
Michael Clevett; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Piano: Warren Hampshire
Paul Butler; Performer
Saxophone: Andy Parkin
Itchy Parkin; Performer
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Trombone: Tim Parkin; Performer
Trumpet: Tim Parkin
Paul Butler; Performer
Vocals: Paul Butler; Performer
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

4. Got To Let Go

by The Bees

Arranger: Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher; Composer
Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Bass: Michael Clevett; Performer
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Bass (vocal): Michael Clevett; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Hammond Organ: Paul Butler; Performer
Keyboard: Tim Parkin; Performer
Performer: Michael Clevett
Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler
Tim Parkin; Performer
Saxophone: Paul Butler; Performer
Tambourine: Paul Butler; Performer
Trumpet: Tim Parkin
Paul Butler; Performer
Vocals: Paul Butler; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

5. Listening Man

by The Bees

Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Bass: Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Bass (vocal): Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Bongos: Michael Clevett; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Kris Birkin; Performer
Arranger: Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler; Composer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Paul Butler
Mandy Parnell; Production
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Hammond Organ: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Performer: Paul Butler
Warren Hampshire
Tim Parkin
Michael Clevett
Kris Birkin
Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Tambourine: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Triangle: Paul Butler; Performer
Trumpet: Tim Parkin; Performer
Vocals: Paul Butler; Performer
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

6. Stand

by The Bees

Arranger: Aaron Fletcher; Composer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Bass: Michael Clevett; Performer
Bass (vocal): Michael Clevett; Performer
Bongos: Michael Clevett; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Paul Butler; Performer
Flute: Heather Mccallum; Performer
Hammond Organ: Paul Butler; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Percussion: Paul Butler; Performer
Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Performer: Michael Clevett
Heather Mccallum
Paul Butler
Tim Parkin; Performer
Piano: Paul Butler; Performer
Recorder: Paul Butler; Performer
Saxophone: Paul Butler; Performer
Trumpet: Tim Parkin
Paul Butler; Performer
Vocals: Paul Butler; Performer
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

7. (This Is For The) Better Days

by The Bees

Composer: The Bees; Composer
Bass: Michael Clevett; Performer
Bass (vocal): Michael Clevett; Performer
Clapping: Michael Clevett
Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher
Kris Birkin
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Kris Birkin
Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Guitar: Kris Birkin; Performer
Hammond Organ: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Arranger: Aaron Fletcher
Michael Clevett; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Keyboard: Tim Parkin; Performer
Performer: Michael Clevett
Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler
Kris Birkin
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Percussion: Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler; Performer
Vocals: Michael Clevett
Paul Butler
Warren Hampshire
Tim Parkin
Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

8. The Ocularist

by The Bees

Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Tim Parkin
Paul Butler; Performer
Arranger: Warren Hampshire
Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher
Tim Parkin; Composer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Bongos: Paul Butler; Performer
Cello: Paul Butler; Performer
Drums: Michael Clevett; Performer
Hammond Organ: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Jew's Harp: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Percussion: Michael Clevett; Performer
Performer: Michael Clevett
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire
Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler
Kris Birkin; Performer
Piano: Paul Butler; Performer
Sitar: Paul Butler; Performer
Vocals: Tim Parkin
Michael Clevett
Kris Birkin
Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler
Warren Hampshire; Performer
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

9. Hot One!

by The Bees

Composer: The Bees; Composer
Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Bass: Michael Clevett; Performer
Bass (vocal): Michael Clevett; Performer
Bells: Paul Butler; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Guitar: Kris Birkin; Performer
Hammond Organ: Warren Hampshire; Performer
Arranger: Aaron Fletcher; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Mandy Parnell
Paul Butler; Production
Percussion: Paul Butler; Performer
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Performer: Michael Clevett
Kris Birkin
Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler
Tim Parkin
Warren Hampshire; Performer
Piano: Tim Parkin; Performer
Vocals: Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler
Tim Parkin; Performer
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

10. End Of The Street

by The Bees

Primary Artist: The Bees; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Paul Butler
Aaron Fletcher; Performer
Arranger: Aaron Fletcher; Composer
Lyricist: The Bees; Composer
Mixing: Paul Butler; Production
Bass: Michael Clevett; Performer
Bass (vocal): Michael Clevett; Performer
Composer: The Bees; Composer
Clapping: Aaron Fletcher
Heather Mccallum
Carly Lacey; Performer
Drums: Paul Butler; Performer
Electric Guitar: Paul Butler; Performer
Performer: Michael Clevett
Tim Parkin
Carly Lacey
Heather Mccallum
Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler; Performer
Sound Effects: Aaron Fletcher
Paul Butler; Performer
Trombone: Tim Parkin; Performer
Vocals: Paul Butler; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mandy Parnell; Production
Producer: Paul Butler; Production
Studio Personnel: Paul Butler
Mandy Parnell; Production
Composer Lyricist: The Bees; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

10 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

39 minutes and 1 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1476x1476 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

6/10 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Psychedelic, Alternative, Indie Rock

Label

Virgin Records

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Mar 18, 2007

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

94638198659

Shopping cart

Notification

Octopus

1. Who Cares What The Question Is?

2. Love In The Harbour

3. Left Foot Stepdown

4. Got To Let Go

5. Listening Man

6. Stand

7. (This Is For The) Better Days

8. The Ocularist

9. Hot One!

10. End Of The Street

Technical Specifications

Octopus

Product information

Release options

1. Who Cares What The Question Is?

2. Love In The Harbour

3. Left Foot Stepdown

4. Got To Let Go

5. Listening Man

6. Stand

7. (This Is For The) Better Days

8. The Ocularist

9. Hot One!

10. End Of The Street

Technical Specifications