A guest posting by The Robster
The Beths are from Auckland, New Zealand, though they are at pains to point out it’s actually Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa in the native Maori. They formed in 2014 after meeting at university and named themselves after singer/songwriter Elizabeth Stokes. They came to my attention shortly before the release of their debut album. They struck me as a band who catered for my love of indie guitars, pop melodies, clever lyrics and vocal harmonies. All those things packaged together as one. I fell in love and remain so.
I recently saw them live and very good they were too. Most striking were the flawless vocal harmonies, sometimes involving all four members of the band. It is one of the reasons I like them so much. Funny, isn’t it, how some facets of the music can really grab you as much as, if not more than, the songs themselves. I’ve always been a sucker for a good vocal harmony.
To date, The Beths have released three albums. I’m not sure JC has ever mentioned them on these iconic pages, so I’d like to introduce them here for the uninitiated.
THE SOUND THE SOUND THE SOUND…
An Imaginary Compilation by THE BETHS
SIDE ONE
1. Silence Is Golden
Kicking off with a track from the band’s third and most recent album, 2022’s ‘Expert In A Dying Field’. It’s a record that didn’t grab me as immediately as the first two, but it’s a definite grower. This was its lead single and is the song that gives this ICA its title.
2. I’m Not Getting Excited
The opening track from second album ‘Jump Rope Gazers’ is one of the band’s loudest and hard-hitting. That doesn’t detract from its underlying pop sensibilities though.
3. You Wouldn’t Like Me
Elizabeth Stokes is a master at writing great tunes with a dark underbelly in the lyrics. I’m sure she’s not always writing from a personal perspective as I can’t imagine she’s as nasty as she makes herself out to be in this song. I do wonder if she is facing up to some demons in some of her work though. This is a highlight from the debut album ‘Future Me Hates Me’.
4. Jump Rope Gazers
The title track of The Beths’ second album is very possibly my favourite of theirs, which is unusual as it’s a slower-paced love song. But the tune hits me hard, and then when those harmonies start in the chorus – whoah! Credit really should also go to guitarist Jonathan Pearce who also records and produces the band’s music in his home studio. For me, this is where it all comes together perfectly.
5. Knees Deep
From ‘Expert In A Dying Field’. Here, Elizabeth laments her lack of bravery. “The shame!! I wish that I was brave enough to dive in / But I never have been and never will be / I’m coming in hot and freezing completely.” I know that feeling.
SIDE TWO
1. Idea/Intent
A couple non-album tracks now. This was the band’s furious debut single, first released in 2015, it then appeared on the following year’s ‘Warm Blood’ EP. It might be the only song in their canon to have swearing in it.
2. A Real Thing
A single released between albums 2 and 3, its erratic chorus giving something of an alternative, almost post-punk feel to it. I can understand how they felt this wasn’t right for the second album so held it over as a standalone single.
3. Uptown Girl
Not a cover of the Billy Joel song! It’s better than that, a rollicking ride through the realisation that a relationship isn’t what our protagonist thought it was so decides to go out and drown her sorrows, painting the town red in the process. My favourite track from the first album.
4. Whatever
The second single, Whatever appeared on the ‘Warm Blood’ EP, but was also felt good enough for the debut album. Some more nice harmonies in this one.
5. Best Left
Rounding off with my favourite track from the latest album. I actually wanted to include the title track somewhere, but just couldn’t find a place for it. Besides, that would make 11 tracks which is cheating. This song sounds like a good place to finish off.
If you want more, check out The Beths’ recent KEXP live session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIC70Wyd5_U
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 