If I had my own radio station - Beta Band

No other band that I've come across does their damnedest to avoid categorization like the Beta Band.

From their self-titled debut album, Broken Up Adingdong stands out. The beat just keeps going and going like a train ride that culminates in whistles, steel drums, xylophones and other bizarre assortments of things being banged on. Smiling is a childish romp that gives you the feeling we're not dealing with an ordinary band using ordinary instruments and melodies.

The next album, Hot Shots II brings Squares, a nice down tempo piece that just gets in your blood, and Al Sharp.

But their best album is actually a collection of 3 previous EPs (mini albums) titled, appropriately enough, The Three E.P.'s. It has Dry the Rain, made famous by its cameo in the movie High Fidelity, which is essentially how I discovered the Beta Band. This album also brings Inner Meet Me, which in my mind is the typical Beta song. Sound effects, guitar, odd percussion sounds and layered vocals. She's the One, with it's funky jew's harp opening and Needles in my Eyes close out my favourites from this amazing album. What is most odd about these guys is that as all over the spectrum their melodies are, their vocals seem monotone in comparison. It's like this band just wants to see how far they can push the musical envelope. I say - push hard boys.

They are the Beta Band after all.