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The Buzzing Bees - You'll Wish You Were Deaf (Cover Artwork)

The Buzzing Bees

You'll Wish You Were Deaf (2003)
Mockingbird

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Contributed by: fatbrendan
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Published on April 2nd 2004


It seems funny to think that a band with a name like "The Buzzing Bees" could be so damn good. This is quite possibly the most honest album I may have heard all year. Sure, there are things about this album that can come across as a little annoying, such as the vocalist. But this all depends on perspective. In trying to write an honest review, I'll say that honestly it's not for everyone. I can't really compare the sound to anything in particular, but Brett Gunther's voice isn't as polished as most would like. He strains his voice constantly, in mostly failed attempts at hitting notes that are just out of his reach, causing him to go a little off key every now and then. Like I said, that can come across as annoying, but it's honest. But this is part in parcel of what The Buzzing Bees are. I seem to be on a little theme here, and there's no harm in continuing and saying that this music is honest and well laid out, and shows that these boys aren't afraid of trying.

How now to describe the sound? Well, first off, it doesn't sound anything like a buzzing bee. Should I attempt to tell you by describing who they sound like? Most people like to be able to attribute certain genres and sounds with certain bands and use these as references; however, I'm not going to tell you who they sound like, and for two reasons: one, as music lovers, I would like to encourage us to be less concerned with labels and circles of likes and dislikes and attempt to experience bands more for who they are, as opposed to who they sound like, and two, I can't really say who they sound like. I will tell you that they have heavy guitars, but they also have soft guitars. They have a trumpet in one song. They have pop-rock grooves with offcue beats. They also have a vocalist that isn't afraid to go outside his range, and attempt (whether successful or not) to do what he feels necessary for the song. They have screaming, and harmonies. But, again, I challenge you to go outside your bubble to experience this Calgary 4-some.

These boys also attempt to rival some of their other Canadian counterparts by having ridicously long song titles. I May Have A Bad Attitude But It's Better Than Your Hair is the intro track and throws down some killer beats that continue to change up seemingly whenever the hell they feel the need. It also showcases what I was attempting to express about the lead vocals, and Sorry, I'm Deaf In Both Ears: Please Talk To My Shovel follows suit perfectly with an acoustic pop-rock feel intro that quickly throws you to the floor with a heavy second half. Nice Track Marks, When's The Race? is a soft song with an emo feel with odd guitar tones and almost a swing feel beat courtesy of Peter Pivovarov on drums. Your Teeth Are In My Shoes And They're Smiling At Me has a poppy feel and a catchy chorus vocal line with awesome harmony. The intro to Mother Nature: The Old Person Microwave is a builder, meaning that it continues to build on itself until it anti-climatically ends on you leaving you in suspense. You'd almost expect it tho, taking into account the sometimes awkward song structures. However, the song does get heavy and has a few breakdowns where the drums go purposefully a little off beat to bullhorn vocals. The song almost fades perfectly into I'm Sorry You're A Moron And All Your Friends Do Coke which also demonstrates that these boys can make it simple and sound just as awe-inspiring. This song apparently has a riff stolen from a Hooray For Everything song that they have permission for (of sorts). We're Right Behind You Swollen Gunther is another song with a pop-rock feel intro and again transitions to a heavier guitar driven riffs with harmonies and background vocals to compliment. Possibly my favorite song on this album of gems is Bite The Curb - It's Vegan, I Swear. It has everything that the all the previous songs have, but has something extra that I can't put into words. It just grooves me. Plus I find the screaming very effective. And to wrap this album up, The Buzzing Bees experiment with an acoustic guitar, a trumpet and a different feel than anything you've heard on this album thus far on What To Do With The Lazy Carcass?. A true masterpiece of a song.

So what more could I possibly say about The Buzzing Bees to influence you to go out and buy this work of art from 4 Calgarians no one has probably ever heard about? There isn't a whole lot more to say. In my attempted objectional opinion, I can say that this band creates beautiful honest music that would be a shame to be overlooked. And although some people may not 100% agree, the singer's voice should not change. The Buzzing Bees sound and style is dependent on the sincere unpolished vocals. It is my hope that if you pick up this record that it will rock your world as it is mine. Blissful sounds have been invading my ears ever since I picked it up and I don't foresee any change in the future.



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    Anonymous (April 6, 2004)

    i think this is the best album of 2003. if you think it's lame, generic or uninteresting it's possible that you just haven't given it enough of a chance. it's a grower, not a shower.

    Anonymous (April 5, 2004)

    lame generic stuff...even too lame for mtv

    Jesse (April 5, 2004)

    Here's a tip for this band: If you're going to try to sing like Tim Kinsella, at least make your music interesting. Sure, it's the whole Lou Reed effect, but I mean, c'mon, the music is just generic and uninteresting.

    fatbrendan (April 4, 2004)

    so in other words almost every single review on pitchforkmedia is beyond your comprehension i guess if that one looks meancing to you.

    funkisdead (April 4, 2004)

    http://www.punkcanada.net/reviews/albums/chokemoral.html
    this doesnt look menacing?

    Anonymous (April 3, 2004)

    "besides a little bit of length never hurt anyone."

    www.blacksonblondes.com

    Anonymous (April 3, 2004)

    This band is absolutely amazing and plus they're some of the nicest guys I've ever hung out with. This record and their 7" are both totally killer and I be their new record smokes when it comes out. Go check them out!

    Anonymous (April 3, 2004)

    sucks

    Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

    or you could check it out and see for yourself

    Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

    brendan, either divide your reviews into more paragraphs, make them more concise, or shoot yourself.

    How the hell can your reviews "look better on another site?"

    Me thinks you're simply unable to understand the art of paragraphing.

    Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

    wow, this is actually awful...

    mr. Honest.

    dont_think_twice (April 2, 2004)

    this band sounds like they'd be pretty alright, but just one thing... are they honest?

    fatbrendan (April 2, 2004)

    oh and inagreendase, i forgot to say that i agree that it's not about that. i like your reviews as well. i think you have a really good technique. i agree that my reviews look menacing on here, but they don't look quite that menacing on punkcanada.net.

    fatbrendan (April 2, 2004)

    thanks for the heads up then.

    and i wrote all the reviews that i've posted on this site for a different website, but figured that the Org needed some of these reviews. you can check out more of what i've written at punkcanada.net if you want to. but be advised that punkcanada.net isn't very close to completion yet. hopefully within a month or two.

    inagreendase (April 2, 2004)

    It's not about who's better or whose style is better, it's just that it's much easier to keep your place reading when there are more pauses. The way you word everything is fine, you write great, but I'm only saying my suggestion makes it easier on the eyes. But continue as you feel.

    greg6711 (April 2, 2004)

    sounds interesting.

    Please, keep writing reviews, I think they are informative and interesting, besides a little bit of length never hurt anyone.

    fatbrendan (April 2, 2004)

    you have to give this singer a chance tho. he's not a bad singer.

    and inagreendase; i'm sorry you don't like my reviews. besides, i've only submitted a few more, and that will be it. so deal with it for now and then just never read my reviews again, i don't care. i write how i want to write and i'm not going to cater to you. i'm sure you do the same when you write, and you probably don't like my structure since i don't write like you.

    Icapped2pac (April 2, 2004)

    I like honesty in my music quite a bit, but I fucking hate bad singers worse. And that reminds me of how much I fucking hate when my loser roommate watches American Idol. This score's for my roomate and his wack ass reality shows (he watches fucking Survivor every week too, what a tool).

    Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

    looks like inagreendase is upset that people like fatty brendan's lengthy reviews while everyone bashed his thesaurus raped reviews. Brendan's better, get over it, you have no right to bash someone else's review, cuz yours suck

    inagreendase (April 2, 2004)

    Are you as fat as your paragraphs? Seriously, break those up next time.

    Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

    these dudes are sooooo good..its true.

    Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

    You keep on hitting us with brick-structured reviews, Brendan!

    tyroneshoelaces (April 2, 2004)

    Wow! great review finally someone who tells it like it is. I am going to check this out for sure.

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