Track Listing

1. Assessment
2. Space
3. Lion Thief
4. Easy
5. Wonderful
6. Troubles
7. Out-Side
8. Space Beatle
9. Rhododendron
10. Liquid Bird
11. Simple
12. Pure For

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41967 in Music
• Released on: 2004-04-26
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The sleeve to Heroes to Zeros, the third album from the Beta Band, depicts them as garishly clad cartoon superheroes, bursting from the frame to confront the forces of evil and deliver a mighty smackdown. Anyone familiar with the career of these Scots rock experimentalists, however, will be more than aware that the Betas have more than enough trouble tackling their own expansive muse, without throwing something comparatively trifling such as saving the world into the mix.

That said, on Heroes to Zeros--the Beta Band's first fully self-produced effort--everything seems to be gelling nicely, despite the dizzying disparity of the parts involved. It's more guitar-heavy than previous efforts, and it's strangely exciting to hear frontman Steve Mason cutting loose on the axe here--everything from U2-style dynamics to mournful English folk fingerpicking seem well within his grasp.

"Assessment" is the instant winner, Mason dolefully intoning "I think I cut my skull on the way down/ I think I lost my head when I lay down" over chiming guitar fanfares and roaring brass. But elsewhere, the band's characteristically eccentric manner is given free reign: try "Wonderful", a sprawling cosmic love song, or "Liquid Bird", a weird mélange of scintillating House of Love guitars, hip-hop rhythms and electronic kickdrums that beat like a hummingbird's wings. --Louis Pattison

CD Description
Following on from 2001's lo-fi 'Hot Shots II', 'Heroes To Zeroes' shows the Beta Band's full range as they blend their eclectic indie-rock with digitised samples and programmed beats into melodic pop songs. Various instruments are used on the album such as tribal drums, organs and a brass section. The album contains the single 'Assessment' which best shows the band's more aggressive sound.

Customer Reviews

Best yet.
The long-awaited follow up to 2001's 'Hot Shots II' kicks off in promising style with the single, 'Assessment.' As a statement of intent, they don't come any bolder than this; a swirling, driving beast of a tune, it seems to combine all the previous elements of the Beta boys' career. This makes it the obvious choice for a single, but it is by no means the standout track. All the songs on this album are imbued with something which shows why the Beta Band are such an essential part of the contemporary British music scene. Whilst I am unsure as to precisely what that 'something' is, it definitely contains an aura of originality that has often been copied, but which shall always lack the resonance of the genuine article.

'Space', the second track picks up gamely where 'Assessment' left off with swaggering bass/drum interaction that betrays the hip hop/dub influence the Beta Band have internalised and yet made entirely their own. 'Lion Thief', has been an early fan favourite, harking back to the Three EP's era with it's folk inflected intro before progressing to a groove centred piece utilising the same riff. This is also an excellent example of the way the whole album works, described by Beta Band frontman Steve Mason as like 'the Milky Way in a tea cup.' This is an album that initially feels densely layered, with whole new spaces opening up open repeated listening. However, if one really pays attention, it becomes apparent that the songs seem to wax and wane, building euphorically to a swell only to plunge the listener into a brief space where Steve Mason's voice is given full reign to pervade your entire being. This is no more obvious than in the sprawling funk of 'Easy', though Richard Greentree takes on vocal duty here.

'Out-Side' raises the album back to exultant heights after a reflective break, only for 'Space Beatle' to combine downbeat verses with transcendent choruses. 'Rhododendron' sounds like 'Pet Sounds' for today, showcasing a beautiful organ sound coupled with synth melody and excellent percussion. Any retro vibe is rapidly dismantled by the futuristic indie dub groove of 'Liquid Bird', whose hard-edged sound is in turn countered by 'Simple.' The heart-rending introduction melds effortlessly with the gargantuan groove that follows it, echoing the Smiths in the way you want to dance and cry at the same time.

This album works superbly as a whole, and goes a further step to fulfilling the potential that it has long been acknowledged is possessed by this band. The closing track, 'Pure For', offers the listener a resolution in the mantra of "I'm so glad you found me," nicely rounding off the emotional journey of the album. 'Heroes to Zeros' is an album tailored neatly to fit the crowd who find themselves alienated from the emotionally shallow music scene of today, and I hope it brings the Beta Band the success that has long eluded them.

expand your mind
As a big fan of their previous work, Hot Shots II in particular (never tire of listening to that one!). I was looking forward to the new album with extremely high expectations. The Beta Band somehow always manage to offer up an infectious fresh melodic sound with all the musical elements of dub, rock, folk and hip hop mixed in to create something that bit different.

The album starts off strong with the thumping & very rock sounding, Assessment. With use of triumphant trumpets near the end give it that anthem like quality "dry the rain" had from the 3 eps.

Then track two "space", takes attention away from the guitars, and uses a more trippy sound with the drums giving the song a really uplifting feel. It's one of these sing along ones "lalalala". But it works well. As most of the album actually is.

Most of the songs have a stop start quality about them, with the catchy rhythms, sounds and vocals all coming together. Unlike their first actual album "The Beta Band" there seems to be a connection, has a sound that suggests it could work live. It's not so random. A good example of this is "lion thief". Wouldn't seem out of place on Hot Shots II

The highlight track for me however is "wonderful". Beautifully constructed, with "she's so wonderful" repeated delicately, then moving into the powerful drums and guitar, then going back to a slow beat you'd expect on a King Tubby album.

The album is one of these ones that’ll grow on you, I know I won't stop listening to it, and the more I do, the more it makes me smile and want to sing along. And that is what music should be about!

their best effort yet!
The Beta Band are quite frustrating to listen to and for me their tracks can range from being fanastic to incoherent. For example, if every track was as good as 'Dry the Rain' they would be one of the best bands in the world. '3EP's' was great, 'the beta band' was rubbish (even admitted by the band) and then 'hot shots II' was a step back in the right direction. 'Heroes to Zeroes' is definately fulfiling the potential shown in '3EP'S'.
'Assessment' is thier best single since 'dry the rain' and the album is their most consistent yet. Guitars feature quite prominantly which is a change from the past two albums which experimented with other sounds. There are some great tracks on here, many of which could be future singles. 'Out-Side' (official next single), 'Troubles' and the brilliant 'Simple' are all standouts on what is a really great album.
They have said in interviews they want to be a really big band, after the last three albums that seemed like a massive contradiction but this album will certainly see them more likely achieve that aim!