Prince Umberto And The Sister Of Ill
The Age
Friday August 31, 2007
Bumblebeez (Modular) 3.5/5
Four years ago, big things were predicted for Braidwood, NSW, outfit Bumblebeez, essentially comprised of main man Chris Colonna and sister Pia. Following two gloriously ramshackle EPs (White Printz and Red Printz) in 2003 there was terrific interest in the US, where the band were invited to join the Lollapalooza bill and signed by a big US label. But Lollapalooza was cancelled, the label dropped them and an entire album was shelved. Back on track with the excellent single Dr Love, they follow here with an album that is a brave attempt at moulding an ADD-afflicted musical ethos into a cohesive whole. No easy task for co-producer James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) and Cassius' Phillippe Zdar, who mixed the record, as Prince Umberto still swings wildly between scuzzy punk-rock, hip-hop, reggae, grime, psychedelia, indie-pop and acid house. Next single Rio is a sunny, roller-skating disco jam; Zulu is a reggae/hip-hop soundclash, Clubb Clubb is lustful, crunky sleaze and Crazy Tongue is blaring, feedback-drenched punk. The highlight is the creepy lullaby My Girl. An indefinable melange of fascinating ideas and styles.
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