Every Step's a Yes

Personnel: Aaron Fletcher (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, double bass, bass guitar, percussion, background vocals); Paul Butler (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, charango, harp, sitar, violin, cello, melodica, recorder, baritone saxophone, trumpet, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, double bass, bass guitar, drums, percussion, background vocals); Tim Parkin (acoustic guitar, trumpet, double bass, drums, percussion, background vocals); Kris Birkin (electric guitar); Andy Parkin (violin).
Audio Mixer: Paul Butler.
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