Every Step's a Yes

by The Bees, A Band of Bees

Overview

Every Step's a Yes has an enchanting drift to it. The Bees' fourth record, it begins as a vibrant set of acoustic love songs, with a wry look at the process of love balladry ("Don't want to put my feelings into another song for you," from the opener "I Really Need Love"). Gradually, it turns to rosy but slightly morose rock built on the structure of early-'70s Pink Floyd (think post-Barrett but pre-The Dark Side of the Moon), both musically and temperamentally. In between, more of the band's inspirations come through, in various strengths: autumnal Simon & Garfunkel harmonies, a hint of charged blue-eyed soul, a little bit of Jamaican lovers rock (or is it electrified West African pop?). This may make it sound exactly like the blueprint for every other Bees album, but Every Step's a Yes presents not just another strong set of songs, but a slightly more challenging obstacle overcome; there aren't many kitchen-sink productions here. As the band peels away more pages from its production workbook, the songs become very powerful, more intimate and reflective, culminating in the beautiful "Island Love Letter." (Please note, this comes four tracks before the actual end of the record, a furious fourth-world love jam with Devendra Banhart titled "Gaia.") ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	11/08/2011
Label:	Ato / Fiction
UPC:	0880882177218
Rank:	127687

Tracks

Disc 1

1. I Really Need Love
2. Winter Rose
3. Silver Line
4. No More Excuses
5. Tired of Loving
6. Change Can Happen
7. Island Love Letter
8. Skill of the Man
9. Pressure Makes Me Lazy
10. Gaia

Disc 2

11. Go Where You Wanna Go
12. The Dink
13. The Rip [Live from On Track with Seat]
14. I Really Need Love [Live from On Track with Seat]
15. Winter Rose [The Bees Remix]
16. Island Love Letter (Reprise) [Instrumental]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Bees   Primary Artist
A Band of Bees   Primary Artist
Devendra Banhart   Vocals
Warren Hampshire   Organ (Hammond)
Gregory Rogove   Vocals
Tim Parkin   Drums,Trumpet,Percussion,Double Bass,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Kris Birkin   Guitar (Electric)
Paul Butler   Harp,Cello,Drums,Piano,Sitar,Violin,Vocals,Trumpet,Charango,Melodica,Recorder,Percussion,Double Bass,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes,Guitar (Bass),Sax (Baritone),Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Andy Parkin   Violin
Aaron Fletcher   Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Double Bass,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Beth Gibbons   Composer
The Mamas & the Papas   Composer
Warren Hampshire   Group Member
Tom Gardner   Group Member
Geoff Barrow   Composer
Tim Parkin   Composer,Group Member
Kris Birkin   Composer,Group Member
Adrian Utley   Composer
Guy Davie   Mastering
Paul Butler   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Andy Parkin   Group Member
Jo Hillier   Management
Jon McMullen   Assistant Engineer
Richard Parkin   Group Member
Aaron Fletcher   Composer,Group Member