The Beta Band - Out-Side
[Regal]

While many saw the Beta Band's latest long-player 'Heroes To Zeroes', become the moment the band ceased to bear any relevance, it did have its obvious highlights and standout moments to equal the earlier stages of their career. Namely 'Space', 'Lion Thief', the Stone Roses wired 'Wonderful' and then, the obvious mainstream potential in the form of 'Out-Side'.

'Out-Side' may well take a familiar 'Beta's-by-numbers' blueprint but in fairness, shares a lot of the magical qualities of it's well-received predecessors, only minus the hedonistic improvisation and natural looseness. Steven Mason's unique and monotone Gregorian monk chant vocals are still intact, slurring hypnotically over their trademark infectious melodies and over-the-top drums - but as their most rocky output to date, it veers far away from difficult experimentating. Guitars are loud and full-on, and it's the most 'normal-sounding' song they've ever made, yet it still has the presence of another classic Beta Band track.

So they're a little tighter now, more focused and trying to reach their music to a wider audience - is that really selling-out? Well if hitting the big-time sounds this much fun, who really cares. The Beta Band 2004 may not be the same group people were hoping for, but they're clearly still miles ahead of their peers.