Collections of Colonies of Bees? Who?

I found out about this band almost by accident a few weeks ago, absent-mindedly following one of those recommendations sites like last.fm give you, which never pan out and lead you on a blind chase of “you like guitars? this band has guitars too, logically you must love them”… But this was being linked from a math rock band, and if there’s one thing I pride myself on, it’s all-encompassing knowledge of bands who like finger-tapping and have amazing drummers.

Collections of Colonies of Bees do not love finger-tapping. They love laptops, and they love banjos, their drummer is amazing and they love me, and we’re going to get married. From every song of theirs I heard I got a refresher of everything I remembered I loved about music and wanted to hear. Though they aren’t math rock, members of the band do come from the band Pele, from Chicago. Everything they’ve put out has kind of defied labels and description, but half of their albums sound like Greg Davis is sitting in with half of a bluegrass band and the drummer from Appleseed Cast (in case this is one of those descriptions that only make sense in my head, read: glitchy laptop + banjos/acoustic guitar + tasteful drum playing with lots of cymbals) and they have actually been making albums since 1998. Now why am I only hearing about them now? Their 33 minute song “Stuck” alone should have been on my playlist years ago, it’s the most patiently built electronics, and i’ve never before wanted to call a snare drum beautiful.

Their new album “Birds” should get them attention, it’s an amazing album that works with post-rock tendencies and structures, without bludgeoning casual listeners with some of their more esoteric electronics. “Flocks III” (the 4 songs on the album are titled Flocks I-IV) one of the standouts, is a highlight reel of their best work; every part of the band harmonizing beautifully at once. The whole song is rich with engrossing details but the quiet moment at 4:10 with marching drums and quiet electronic buzzing leading up to the band coalescing at 5:20 sounds like the first perfect sound of 2008.

“Birds” is out January 22nd on Table of the Elements

www.collectionsofcoloniesofbees.net