Downeast Record & CD Review****June 2 1999

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THE BEE ZOO

Our grading system:
A=Awesome
B=Beautiful
C=Could be better
D=Don't quit your day job
E=Enough already
F=Forget it,Flush it,@#$^ it

BOOBALAH

Rob Kudyba's latest rock outfit--The Bee Zoo--is here with a release of driving modern-rock tunes.With a cover of "Nine Inch Nails'" Wish closing the album,you're in for an enticing journey.
Put on your rocking shoes and get ready to bump,stomp,and grind yourself into a physical frenzy with some mind blowing guitar driven rock 'n roll with The Bee Zoo.
The Bee Zoo's website can be found by
clicking here.

Writers on this review are:
Donna Crowley

Chris Small

On to the review:

Appearing Are:
Rob Kudyba-Lead Vocals/Guitar
Bryn Mutch-Drums
David Chirico-Bass/Background Vocals
Chad MacDonald-Bass on tracks 1,7,& 8
Additional Vocals:
Daniel James-Tracks 1,4,7,8
David Chirico-Tracks 2,3,10
BJ Zampa-Track 9

TRACK 1
I Want You Here With Me

Give it a listen

D.C.-Some heavy power chords open up this solid rocker.Tight drumming and some real neat vocals make for a colorful tune.Nice lead guitar solo in the bridge.(A+)

C.S.-Good way to open up an album.This tune rocks!! Really captures the essence of Alterna-Rock.(A+++)

TRACK 2
Mr. Moneyman

D.C.-Very original sound and beat on this tune.It has some heavy guitar and some fantastic percussion.The vocals had a Beatle-esque quality.Very innovative guitar licks and great bass fret work.This tune would be killer live because it has a get up and boogie sound.If you aren't up and groovin' to this tune, better grab your walker and head back to the nursing home.(A+++)

C.S.-Definitely an original sound coming out of this track.Extremely jazzed up,funked out chords with atypical chord changes.(A)

TRACK 3
High Maintenance Girl

Give it a listen

D.C.-Nice guitar work in the intro,but when the vocals come in they are on the weak side.It all picks up after a few seconds.The lead guitar solo was a bit weak,but the lyrics and the vocal harmonies make up for it.(A+)

C.S.-Starts out as a melodic upbeat ballad and remains so,as long as there are no vocals.The vocal choruses and verses sound extremely generic.This is a very unwelcome change in the album criteria.(D)

TRACK 4
By Myself

Give it a listen

D.C.-This tune has some great bass if you're into the bass boost kick.The beginning of the tune reminded me of a Pat Travers tune.This is a kick ass tune with a tight arrangement,full of some intricate changes and solid vocals.(A++)

C.S.-They (Bee Zoo) really saved themselves with this song.It does a good job of covering up their mistake with track 3.This is in the style of track 1.It's a good solid rocker with good bass grooves,slick guitar playing and good vocals (phew!).(B++)

TRACK 5
Lay Down

D.C.-This tune shows the listener the versatility encompassed in this band.This one borders on the metal genre,in part due to the vocal effects and the chord progression.Another tight arrangement.(A++)

C.S.-The Bee Zoo definitely shows their heavier, angrier side with this one.They do an excellent job. Heavy power chords,evil vocals,heavy drumming and tight changes make this an instant favorite.(A++)

TRACK 6
More Than A Man

Give it a listen

D.C.-We are shown the lighter side in this tune,with some well played acoustic guitar.The vocals are nicely layered and well balanced.The bass and drums carry the tune to an amazing height as a super rhythm
section.(A+)

C.S.-Good sounding song in 3/4 time.One of the lighter sounding songs on the album,but unlike track 3 they get it right with this one.An acoustic guitar drives the groove through this song along with some tight vocal harmonies.Good job.(B)

TRACK 7
Silent Scream

Give it a listen

D.C.-The Bee Zoo captures my attention with yet another solid tune.The originality is mind boggling and just amazes me.What a truly superlative sound with enough drive to keep you rockin' all night long.
(A++)

C.S.-I like this offbeat,extremely original stuff the band throws in once in a while(see track 2).This tune is filled with some well played syncopated rhythms. Plus,it's VERY catchy.With the allegro guitar strumming and once again,tight vocal harmonies,they can't lose with this cut.(A++)

TRACK 8
Emptiness

D.C.-I found this tune to be one of the more generic sounds.It seems to lack some of the fire of previous tunes.I also found the lyrics a tad repetitive.I believe that this was merely a last minute addition. (C+)

C.S.-Average tune with some good guitar and vocals.It does run kind of short.It also has some of the generic qualities of track 3.I think the best attribute of the song is the drummer's cymbal work. The bell tones ring out nicely and fit this track well.(C-)

TRACK 9
Don't Believe

D.C.-Now this tune has more of that driving guitar, tight bass and drumming that has been delivered throughout the album.The vocals and lyrics are also much better in this tune than track 8.The Bee Zoo is back in true form.(A++)

C.S.-Another song with some interesting rhythms.This has one of the most interesting grooves on the album. The time signature changes between a fast 5/8 in the verses to a 6/8 time in the chorus.Very cool sound. The band doesn't seem to have a problem with the time change.The drummer is definitely doing his job on this track by providing a constant rhythm throughout the time changes.This makes the changes sound effortless and natural to the listener.(A+++)

TRACK 10
Wish

D.C.-I don't know of many bands that would choose to end their album with a cover,especially by a world renowned band such as Nine Inch Nails.The Bee Zoo does a fantastic job with this tune,keeping it upbeat and tight with their own original flair.I for one can't wait for the next release from this band!! (A+++)

C.S.-Excellent job!! The Bee Zoo chose a cool song to cover by Nine Inch Nails.It's one of my favorite tracks off of Broken by NIN.This tune is almost identical to the original without some of the nuances that only Trent Reznor knows.I would give the band high ratings just on their selection,but to play it well too......It's just too much!!! (A+++)

Chris' Overall Impression

The Bee Zoo is really a band with lots of potential. Where they succeed is with the heavier stronger stuff and also,their very original odd-timed syncopated works.They could use some work on the softer songs.On those,they tend to sound much less together.They sound like they are doing a slow song because their producer forced them to.That,unfortunately,gives the softer,slower songs many undesirable generic qualities.Almost like something you would hear on a bad commercial done by a local cable company.If The Bee Zoo works on the genre that they struggle with (let me point out that they only needed substantial work on 2 songs)and mixes it with their succesful works noted in this review,they will most certainly dominate the airwaves.(A)

Donna's Overall Impression

I could not believe my ears when I first heard this band.I listened to the album three times that day and couldn't get enough of The Bee Zoo's sound.With a solid rhythm section,some driving guitar and impressive vocals,how can this band go unnoticed.If they are not currently playing The Bee Zoo on your local radio station,call them and ask them WHY!! If they don't know where to get a copy have them email us or Dingo Records to get one.This band has the stuff that is hot today,but also has a lasting quality to it that won't soon be forgot.If your into some solid rock with driving guitars than add this album to your collection today.Pick it up at The Bee Zoo website or at our "Buy the CD's page.(A++)

So until next time keep your ears to the tunes,your eyes on the road,and keep in touch with us......Donna

The Bee Zoo/Dingo Records
178 Miami Avenue
Newington CT
06111
TEL:860.665.9160
FAX:212.251.0840

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