Search - Bumblebeez 81 :: Printz (Dig)

You know I'm gonna hit it every time I knock that wicket

superinkygrrl | Portland, OR | 07/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So you've decided to check out Bumblebeez 81 because that Pony Ride video on Subterrean was so weird and kind of catchy and gosh, what are they all about anyway?Ok, so you're sick of mainstream drivel garbage pop cr@p. (Please! We all know how much pop stinks.) And you're looking for something different. You know yourself well enough to know that you're open to the blending of genres and not opposed to trying on some post nu wave disco punk hop for size (though I resist pigeon-holing this band so rigidly..)You like them or you don't. There's no easy answer. You enjoy taking a chance on a cd and hoping one or two or, if you're lucky, three songs stick to your cd/mp3 player like glue and compell you to sing along. Who cannot resist chanting with Vila when she's cooly telling us all that "she knows she's got it, she knows that she can flaunt it"If you're in the slightest way interested in Beastie Boys, Von Bondies (I saw somewhere Bumblebeez 81 referred to as the Von Beasties, and I'm telling you, this is not so far from the absolute truth), this cd is sure to please. They're not perfect. They're not trying to change the face of music. But yet, there's something about them that screams LISTEN TO ME, like me! I'm Different! Yeah, they ride the pony. They may even ride the little pony, but I'm telling you, they're worth the ride! Personally, "Vila Attacks" is going down as one of my all time favorite songs. "Step Back" and "Bambino" are clever and rocking and yes, I even like "Pony Ride".If you're not sure; if perhaps you don't like the sound of white girls rapping or the thought of minimalist, dissonate beats and hooks grabbing you and sinking themselves so deeply into your skin you can think of nothing else, well, then perhaps you should pass. By for those of you looking for something fun, something loud, something new and rocking and ultimately positive and kooky, FEEL THE BUMBLEBEEZ."

Support good music... Give this a try...

W. Price | Senatobia, MS United States | 05/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was drawn in by their innovative and startingly original video for "Pony Ride". It is truly amazing that Mtv has given soo much airplay to such an (until now) obscure band. The bulk of the material off of this album, has been released in some form or another, dating back from 2002. They basically combined their previous two ep's (White Printz and Red Prinze).

However, the album adds up to a hypnotically entrancing, fun filled smorgasbord of beats, melody and rhyme. From the opening track, "OUNO", through the closing track, "Come Ova", each track is consistently engaging. Standouts include, "I Come With Water", "Microphone Diseases", "Pony Ride", "Bambino" and "Vila Attack".

I can't wait to see what the future holds for this impressive new presence on an otherwise bleak musical landscape."

It's a bag, a mixed grab bag

J. Rossi | Downers Grove, IL | 08/09/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Blasting out of Australia and heading towards Paul's Boutique is Bumblebeez 81. Amid the noise and dust of their ascent you can see where the duo is heading but you may not be able to hear where this album falls a bit short.



The first track, while not altogether bad, sounds less like realized song and more like late night drunken studio toss-offs. "Step back," "I come with water" and "Let's go" pull a White Stripes in that they revolve around simple arrangements - usually bass, rudimentary plucked guitar and drums - but despite the simplicity they aren't unpleasant. "Let's go" is pure lo-fi punk/death dance disco.



"Microphone diseases" has a bare bones musical approach that pushes April's rapping to the front, and it is a decent showcase although she's not giving Blackalicious a run for their money, and the fact that it keeps going is a bit unnerving. "Get dressed" is just bad and at nearly four minutes is unbearable.



"Pony ride," of course, is all tightly woven hooks and bombastic beats that combine for a phenomenal song, but the second half of the album doesn't provide the knockout blow. "Bambino" is annoying and "Brooklyn" stands out a bit (like braile letters on paper) but is so derivitive you won't know if you're listening to Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys or Bumblebeez. "Vila attack" has a techno-ish feel to it that changes the sound up.



Not for lack of effort or enthusiasm, this debut sounds too same-y to warrant a breathless review. Certainly not a bad album, but the feeling is that the Bumblebeez will be great on their third album. However, music is so very subjective that this album could be right up your ally, but some people may want to proceed with caution."