The Beta Band - The Three EPs (Pre-Order)

Because Music have announced details of a deluxe double vinyl reissue of The Beta Band's classic The Three E.P.'s.

Originally released in September 1998 on Regal, The Three E.P.’s collected the band’s first 3 E.P. releases, Champion Versions, The Patty Patty Sound & Los Amigos del Beta Bandidos. 

That Oasis and Radiohead, the two biggest names in U.K. rock during the '90s, separately made claims in 1999 about creating a "Beta Band record" (even though neither band actually did) speaks volumes about the impact of The 3 E.P.'s.

With reference points literally all across the map, The Beta Band still managed a sound that was startlingly fresh, broadly appealing to fans of jam bands, indie rock, electronica, and Brit-pop, which is no small feat in and of itself. Rather than a full-length debut, per se, The 3 E.P.'s is, as the name suggests, a collection of three limited-edition EPs which were released between 1997 and 1998 on the U.K. indie Regal Records. 

As such, the songs display an off-the-cuff charm which is as refreshing as it is unforced, revealing a natural progression by the band from humble folk/indie rock beginnings ("Dry the Rain," made famous in a brilliant scene in 2000's High Fidelity) to full-out psychedelic pop endings ("Needles in My Eye").

Throughout The 3 E.P.'s, rather than employing the typical verse-chorus-verse song structure exhausted by '90s alternative rock, The Beta Band successfully mines Krautrock, the Canterbury Scene, hip-hop drum loops, and even '70s funk and soul to build their songs around infectious beats, grooves, and melodies.(AMG).

Previously reissued by Because in 2018, this new vinyl re-press with Matt Colton remastered audio will be available on 2 x 12” black 180g audiophile heavyweight vinyl with artworked inner sleeves which feature the original cover artwork of the 3 x EP release.

Tracklist:
A1 Dry The Rain
A2 I Know
A3 B + A
B1 Dogs Got a Bone
B2 Inner Meet Me
B3 The House Song
C1 The Monolith
C2 She's the One
D1 Push It Out
D2 It's Over
D3 Dr. Baker
D4 Needles In My Eyes