What makes A Can of Bees by The Soft Boys notable?

A Can of Bees is significant for its early embrace of eccentricity within the indie rock genre, influencing a wave of future alternative acts. The album received critical acclaim upon release, particularly from influential publications like NME and Melody Maker, which helped solidify The Soft Boys' reputation and laid the groundwork for their cult following. Released in 1979, A Can of Bees was The Soft Boys' debut album, marking their entry into the burgeoning indie rock scene. At this time, the band was still defining their sound, which combined elements of punk, pop, and psychedelia. This album set the stage for their later works and established them as key players in the underground music movement of the era.

How many songs are on A Can of Bees?

A Can of Bees has 17 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

A Can of Bees

The Soft Boys · 1979

61 min · 17 tracks · indie rock

A kaleidoscopic blend of quirky melodies and sardonic lyrics that encapsulate the essence of late '70s British indie rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Give It to The Soft Boys — This opening track sets an irreverent tone with its punchy rhythm and witty lyrics, establishing the band's unique aesthetic right away.
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Human Music — With its surreal imagery and playful instrumentation, this track exemplifies the band's knack for blending absurdity with catchy melodies.
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Sandra’s Having Her Brain Out — The song's unconventional narrative and eclectic structure highlight the band's innovative approach to songwriting, pushing boundaries within the genre.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases quirky songwriting and unique lyrical themes, though its cohesion suffers from live tracks and repetition.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower, more experimental pieces.
Several songs incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and unexpected key shifts.
The lyrics often employ surreal imagery and dark humor, creating a distinctive narrative style that stands out in the genre.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Give It to The Soft Boys 1:59
2 The Pigworker 4:32
3 Human Music 4:31
4 Leppo and the Jooves 5:28
5 The Rat’s Prayer 3:20
6 Do the Chisel 3:06
7 Sandra’s Having Her Brain Out 4:09
8 The Return of the Sacred Crab 2:57
9 Cold Turkey 4:20
10 Skool Dinner Blues (live) 2:23
11 Wading Through a Ventilator (live) 3:59
12 Leppo and the Jooves 5:33
13 Sandra’s Having Her Brain Out 3:49
14 Skool Dinner Blues 2:16
15 Fatman’s Son 2:41
16 (I Want to Be an) Anglepoise Lamp (live) 2:54
17 Ugly Nora (live) 3:07

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata