For over two decades,
Duglas T. Stewart
and his
BMX
buddies have been creating some of the finest pop music to ever grace the U.K.'s indie rock charts. While they haven't taken the world by storm, they've built an intensely loyal fanbase in Europe and Japan while making inroads in the U.S. The only member who has remained constant throughout the years has been
Duglas
, while past members have gone on to form
the Soup Dragons
,
Superstar
Teenage Fanclub
, and other like-minded outfits. While the bandmembers change with each release,
the Bandits
' musical focus remains unchanged: pure pop that touches the heart. Whether the song is lush and romantic or a tad bit lightweight,
manages to continually create albums that feel like old friends: warm, passionate, and inviting. When longtime bandmember
Francis McDonald
left the band in the early 00s, it seemed like
might have lost his greatest ally. When the album
My Chain
was released in 2006, the results sounded, understandably, like a
solo album, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The album lacked the big, bouncy moments that
were best known for, replaced with a melancholy vibe that was beautiful and heartbreaking but not a whole lot of fun. With
Bee Stings
, things seem to be a bit more upbeat in
' world. While it may not be as rockin' as their '90s albums
Life Goes On
or
Gettin' Dirty
, the songs are more upbeat and cohesive than those on
and the results are nothing less than wonderful. Imagine
Burt Bacharach
Serge Gainsbourg
Brian Wilson
, and
Jimmy Webb
in a recording studio, crafting an album of intense beauty filled with soft, whispering melodies that seem to float on air and you might understand where
fits in the musical scheme of things.
' voice has matured and he approaches each song with heart and passion. His latest
ally is the beautiful
Rachel Mackenzie
, who handles half the lead vocals. Her voice is soft, sweet, and gentle and not unlike prime
Olivia Newton-John
(minus the glossy production). Her duets with
sound genuine and sincere, a match made in musical heaven. The songs on
are beautiful mini symphonies that recall the abovementioned songwriters while remaining distinctly
BMX Bandits
.
"The Last Song"
is the closest that this album gets to the classic
Bandits
sound, although
"Foggy,"
"Doorways,"
"Elegant Lines,"
and
"Sing the Things"
keep things a little more upbeat. When things get lovely, as they do on
"Just Remember I'm a Woman"
"After I Made Love to You,"
the album becomes a slice of heaven on earth. Thank God for
. ~ Steve "Spaz" Schnee