Bumblebeez 81
Printz

(Modular)

First Appeared at The Music Box, August 2004, Volume 11, #8

Written by T.J. Simon

Bumblebeez 81 is a brother-sister duo from Australia whose full-length debut Printz shows promise but ultimately leaves the listener feeling disappointed. Chris Colonna is the brainchild behind the group, and the album’s various electronica acrobatics offer some of the most impressive hip-hop audio beds since the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique and the collective works of D.J. Shadow. His sister Pia is a credible M.C., as seen on the tracks Rappa and Vila Attack, but whenever he assumes control to deliver his Strokes-meets-Violent Femmes, garage-rock nonsense, Printz fails miserably. For the most part, he sings and raps likes a whiny Trent Reznor, particularly on the ho-hum tunes Get Dressed and Pony Ride, although even the most interesting non-hip-hop selection I’ve Come with Water features a cloying, but unforgettable, girly sing-song chorus. Despite the album’s glaring weaknesses, however, Bumblebeez 81 should not be dismissed out of hand. It would be interesting to hear Chris Colonna produce another artist’s work — even if it were a solo outing by his sister. ½

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Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2004 The Music Box