The Beths Future Me Hates Me (Vinyl, Carpark Records, 2018) ****
Their second album, Jump Rope Gazers, is their best so far* in my opinion. It kicks off with the mighty I'm Not Getting Excited. As AllMusic says: "Filled with bouncy riffs, sweet harmonies, anxiety, and kindness, Jump Rope Gazers confirms that the Beths are good at slower, more reflective songs, too."
All of the material comes from their two albums and the EP Warm Blood, so it's a good summary of their endeavours in their first four years as a band.
Where do they all belong? *I've yet to get their latest LP - last year's Straight Line Is a Lie.
The Beths Jump Rope Gazers (CD, Carpark Records, 2020) *****
The Beths Auckland, New Zealand 2020 (CD, Carpark Records, 2021) ****
The Beths Expert in a Dying Field (CD, Carpark Records, 2022) ****
Genre: NZ Music, Indie-rock
Places I remember: JB Hi-Fi
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I'm Not Getting Excited (Jump Rope Gazers)
Gear costume: Don't Go Away (Jump Rope Gazers), Expert in a Dying Field
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I'm Not Getting Excited (Jump Rope Gazers)
Gear costume: Don't Go Away (Jump Rope Gazers), Expert in a Dying Field
They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6
Active compensatory factors: The Beths (named after main-woman Elizebeth Stokes) is a band from my hometown - Auckland, New Zealand. They are comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist/ composer Stokes plus Jonathan Pearce (guitar and producer), Benjamin Sinclair (bass), and drummer Tristan Deck.
Active compensatory factors: The Beths (named after main-woman Elizebeth Stokes) is a band from my hometown - Auckland, New Zealand. They are comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist/ composer Stokes plus Jonathan Pearce (guitar and producer), Benjamin Sinclair (bass), and drummer Tristan Deck.
Their debut album, Future Me Hates Me, is a superb collection of catchy indie-rock songs. Beth can write great pop hooks and her singing voice is absolutely modern and happening. Their refreshing sound is also absolutely about guitars, so I've been on board for a while now.
Their Warm Blood EP from 2016 is in my vinyl collection as well. That EP with its five songs signaled energy and invention and a positive can-do Kiwi attitude right from the off. Future Me Hates Me expands on that start with some cleaner more precise production (especially on the vocals).
Auckland, New Zealand, 2020 is a live album. It was recorded at a gig in the Auckland Town Hall - a venue I know well having been to some iconic concerts there over the years. They kick off with I'm Not Getting Excited and then Great No One and we're off!
Expert in a Dying Field is their third album from 2022. The title song is one of their best - another brilliant example of The Beth's unique blending of power-pop and indie rock.
The rest of the album contains more examples of their way with harmonies, guitar driven pop, and Elizabeth Stokes' powerful vocals. Go you good things!!
Where do they all belong? *I've yet to get their latest LP - last year's Straight Line Is a Lie.
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