Description
The Beez – Fahrradkette
CD review by Tony Smith
TN2598-31 – $25
TN176 Mar 26
Most of the 11 tracks on this album were written by Rob Rayner, one half of the Beez.
Deta C. Rayner wrote the remaining two, the title track and the last.
Rob Rayner’s roles are vocals, guitar and programming.
Deta sings and plays accordion and keys.
They are joined on this album by Sarah Busuttil on vocals and violin and Silas Palmer on vocals and keyboard.
When they came to Australia in 2020 for their annual tour of their second home, they did not realise that they would stay permanently.
Now they make tours of their native Germany!
From the first track ‘Four Good Reasons’ (why I love you) the Beez’ playful, quirky style is clear. ‘And ‘cause I like what I see, you get three good reasons from me’, the fourth is a mystery to last a lifetime.
Possibly because the duo were ‘locked down’ in Katoomba, the Three Sisters Motel features on the cover.
There, they noticed the local birds including the Gang Gang, the cockatoo with plumage of charcoal and red and an intriguing cry like a cork being pulled from a bottle.
The ‘Gang Gang Gang Bang’ describes the bacchanalian behaviour of the avifauna in ‘an old tin shack on the Birdsville Track … Where the locals do their squawkin’.
The title track is in German.
‘Fahrradkette’ apparently translates as ‘bike chain’ but its colloquial meaning and usage is broader and not entirely literal.
It might be about letting go of burdens.
Denis Ahrens’ photos reflect the song lyrics.
‘Am I A Little Bit Too Much?’ has a rear view of the couple on a deserted beach.
He carries a belly board and flippers but she is in a frock and cowboy boots and holds a circular vanity case, very 1950s retro.
In ‘FIGJAM’, Rob tells Deta all the reasons he would be good for her, better than Casanova or Romeo.
The acronym stands for an egotistical boast.
Clue: the last three words are ‘Just Ask Me’.
The interplay between the voices makes this track very listenable.
Crossing the Nullarbor?
‘Moodini Bluff’ is a rest area about 13 hours drive east of Perth and 15 hours west of Adelaide.
There are motifs of the millions of stars visible in isolated parts of Australia, and of the ocean, the tides and the sand.
The feeling is of eons of time.
In the song ‘Sydney’, reference to ‘Lethe’ suggests a tale from Greek mythology.
Lethe was the personification of forgetfulness.
Although the song’s narrator claims to be looking for someone with whom he has lost contact, he sees a time when re-united they will be ‘laughing and smoking cigars’ as they head down from the Budawangs to the Shoalhaven.
The Cave of Hypnos beckons.
This slower track features fine harmonies and enjoyable accordion.
For me, this is the album’s best song.
‘Dancing with Elijah’ is a metaphor for optimism and confidence.
It could refer to a vampire movie.
‘If the glass was once half empty, it sure as hell is now half full’.
It’s your attitude that matters.
‘What’s Not to Like About German?’ takes a witty look at the language’s reputation.
‘Roos Loose (In the Top Paddock)’ lists many crazy things.
‘Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda’ tells us we should make sure that we take our chances and so avoid ever having to ask ‘What if?’
The sleeve notes with graphic design by Hardy Wieland reveals the Beez philosophy: ‘This collection of brand new songs has been thoroughly road tested and judged to be righteously danceable’.
