The Beta Band
Heroes to Zeros
Astralwerks

So how many band's closing statement is also their best? Always progressive rule breakers, in fact breakers of just anything that will make a noise when you bludgeon it (previous records have featured a washing machine, biscuit tins and glasses getting smashed), The Beta Band are musicians who have always stubbornly swam upstream, publicly chastising their own work, before eventually imploding in an outbreak of cryptic statements. Said bassist Richard Greentree, The Beta Band apple has over rippened and become riddled with maggots, it must fall from the tree and let its seeds return to ground," the latter allusion possibly refering to how each member intends to pursue other projects in either music or film.

It seems incongurous that they should fire Heroes to Zeros out of the blocks with their most determined, aspirational lyric. How could they sing, "I say the time has come for decision, better steer my boat for a reason", only to skipper their vessel onto rocks mere months later?

There may not be kitchenware being smashed on this record, not that I can tell at any rate, but their ambition seems nonetheless diminshed. Subtly monged astral moments such as 'Space Beetle', barking odes to losts muses such as 'Out-side' and the lunar folk strains of 'LionThief' capitalise on all their early promise.

So how did it come to this? Is this the price of progress? Or is every step towards the light of progress just another step closer to the end? Does every joyful buzzword like 'forward' or 'advanced' drip from the seductive siren voice of death? Collectively this may be their demise but each member seems set to steer a fresh course in either music or film, for which I offer good wishes, prosperity and much respect.

Greaser rates this album ......