The Last Bees “The Last Bees” EP
Milwaukee-based The Last Bees are a project from the mind of singer-songwriter Ian Ash. Playing perfect Beatlesque pop music is comparable to Bushnell’s Law; “easy to learn, but difficult to master.” Very few bands have done it right (The Red Button is one of them) and I’m proud to say The Last Bees deserve to be part of this exclusive club. The Last Bees stick to the Fabs mop-top era (1964-66) for inspiration, and it would’ve been nice to move forward in time, but we can get to that on the next EP.
“I Can’t Wait” is pure infectious joy on par with the Wonders. The Beatles may be the starting template, but Ian makes sure each song has a unique catchy-as-hell chorus that finds the melodic sweet spot. The songs also tap into a kind of youthful vulnerability that has all but vanished from today’s pop music. Care is given to each song so it doesn’t become repetitive and at under three minutes — they never overstay their welcome. A big highlight for me was the mid-tempo ballad “The Final Sting,” with its glossy acoustic strums, recalling The Beatles “I’ll Be Back” in technique. Without a doubt one of the best retro pop EPs you’ll hear in 2019.
Pezband “Cover To Cover Remixed”
Remember power pop in the ’80s? While Pezband’s original Cover To Cover was released in 1979, it foreshadows the mid-80’s production techniques (big bass, delays, loaded reverbs) that gained popularity at that time. Fans will love this remix; the vocals are more prominent and other sonic details are clearer. I talked with band leader Mimi Bentinis earlier this week about the album.
Pezband’s great melodies are still guitar loaded, but they add some synths on “Stella Blue” and the title track adds a steel drum intro. The vocal work is also passed around a bit more. The band’s songwriting is solid, “Meika” should have been a huge hit. The band puts the “power” in power pop on “Back In The Middle,” and “Don’t Look Back.” In addition, “Unexpected” is another excellent tune that deserves repeat listens.
But you can also hear the band’s frustration with its lack of commercial success. One clue; “Make Me Happy” ironically doesn’t sound too happy. Betinis’ mid-tempo “Didn’t We” makes that frustration clear “why’s it all wrong / tried for so long / didn’t we?” It wasn’t that surprising that the band shut down soon afterward. But this rare LP from the Illinois power pop legends definitely deserves re-discovery. Fans of The Beat, 20/20, The Plimsouls, and The Flashcubes will love this. Highly Recommended.
