CLICK ON IMAGE FOR REVIEW

Demo reviewed by: Culture NI
Date of review: June 2006

"..All in all they have delivered a thrilling three track tease......."
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Demo reviewed by: Hotpress
Date of review: April 2006

"..swaggers in with great high spirits to get the party rocking......."
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Demo reviewed by: Gigwise
Date of review: April 2006

"..pop rock brilliance......."
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Demo reviewed by: The Irish News
Date of review: March 2006

"..the band's collective attractiveness is now approaching positively
dangerous levels......."
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Parlour 9 CD reviewed by: Rock Pulse
Date of review: March 2006

".. this band exude confidence and real musical talent through its infectious sound......."
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Parlour 9 CD reviewed by: Rhythm and Booze
Date of review: March 2006

".. I had screamed the praises of The Bete Noires to every passer-by and so their inclusion on
this disc instantly had me dribbling like a baby......."
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Demo reviewed by: The Fly
Date of review: July 2005

"..the all-in-one package of high-spirited power grunge pop-rock......."
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Demo reviewed by: The Irish News
Date of review: July 2005

"..soul-cleansing noisy guitar wrangling ......."
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Demo reviewed by: Damnpest
Date of review: July 2005

"..Your new favourite band......."
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Demo reviewed by: MusicalPriority
Date of review: May 2005

"..a sound of their own, a sound which can make each and everyone of
your lives better..."
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Demo reviewed by: NME
Date of review: April 2005

"..Their QOTSA / Sugar / Pixies-influenced rock has a bunch of labels
foaming at various orificies..."
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Demo reviewed by: Unpeeled
Date of review: March 2005

"..All ten tracks are assured, accomplished and glossy beasts without an
ounce of fat. All ten are real rock songs and I love the fecking lot of them."
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Demo reviewed by: SoundsXP
Date of review: February 2005

"..there are signed bands out there with far less inspiration and many
of these songs would sound perfectly at home on the radio."
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Demo reviewed by: Dukester
Date of review: February 2005

"..a band probably due to appear on your radio some time soon..."
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Demo reviewed by: Roadhouse Mag
Date of review: December 2004

"..always doing something interesting and taking you along for the ride..."
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Demo reviewed by: Rhythm & Booze
Date of review: September 2004

"If you're going to get in touch with just one unsigned band in your life make sure it's this
band"
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Demo reviewed by: Tastyzine
Date of review: September 2004

"the strength of songwriting is as strong as any popular rock act I can think of "
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Demo reviewed by: Damn Pest
Date of review: September 2004

"wows listeners by producing emotional and intelligent music

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Demo reviewed by: This Is Not TV
Date of review: August 2004

"The Betes Noires deserve to be signed and pushed to the moon"
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Demo reviewed by: Manchestermusic.co.uk
Date of review: August 2004

"Bêtes Noire’s second EP sees them sharpen further from their earlier highly charged antics"
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Demo reviewed by: The Irish News
Date of review: May 2004

"On one hand they have their scuzzy alt rock side, on the other a more melodic approach"
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Demo reviewed by: Heathen Angel
Date of review: April 2004

"The Betes Noires nevertheless have a distinct identity of their own"
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Demo reviewed by: Alternative ulster
Date of review: April 2004

"One of the best local releases this year. "
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Demo reviewed by: Sunday Life
Date of review: February 2004

"..in edgy, but melodic, alternative rock territory"
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Demo reviewed by: Organ Magazine
Date of review: December 2003

"Four songs that just notch up in melodic alt.indie classy quality. "
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Demo reviewed by: Whisperin and Hollerin
Date of review: November 2003

"The Betes Noires are a hard-working trio who are busily caving out a niche for themselves"
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Demo reviewed by: The Big List
Date of review: November 2003

" Definitely a band to watch out for in 2004..."
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Demo reviewed by: Logo magazine
Date of review: November 2003

"There’s a lot going on here, and it’s all damned impressive"
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Demo reviewed by: IRIS magazine issue 43
Date of review: November 2003

"The Bêtes Noires have their own recognisable sound"
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Demo reviewed by: Teletext
Date of review: Demo of the week 9th November

"Excellent, confidant concise punk-like Ash"
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Demo reviewed by: Heathen Angel
Date of review: November 2003

"Their alternative pop-rock music will appeal to many indie and rock fans"
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Demo reviewed by: The Irish News
Date of review: September 2003

".. Destined to be a live favourite ? You know it!.."
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JUXTA FANZINE Demo reviewed by: Juxta fanzine
Date of review: September 2003

"So catch your breath, check out their website, get in touch - and then indulge in their
musical greatness"
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They’ve been around for a while now, but at last The Bêtes Noires are truly getting their
dark groove on. There is a sinister swagger underlying these tracks that pays testament
to the band’s love of those misanthropic Mancs, Joy Division. Nothing wrong with that,
after all if Interpol and Editors can get away with it why not the Bêtes Noires boys and girl?

The opening ‘Last Guest To Leave’ chimes an ominous toll, the drums are pure and
intent, the guitars scorch before exploding into febrile life in the chorus and the accusatory
lyric is carried by a vocal that is broken glass raw. Indeed the only thing that doesn’t work
on the opener are the vocal harmonies.

Produced by the ever-excellent Rocky at One Zero Zero Studios such harmonies are the
sort of touch that would not seem out of place in Oppenheimer’s glistening soundscapes.
However, within the shadowy confines of this particular The Bêtes Noires’ number it
seems a misplaced gesture, an uninvited interloper into their dark domain.

‘New Golden Rules’ is more confidently upbeat, here the guitars strut vigorously, the
drums are impudent and the vibe is reminiscent of The Replacements circa ‘Let It Be’.
Relationship follies and foibles are the bedrock of the narrative.

The opening of final track ‘Breakdowns’ is uncannily similar to Joy Division’s ‘Love
Will Tear Us Apart’. However, it soon veers off in a wholly different direction, the
glacial emotions and sense of detachment of the Division exchewed in favour of
something that is altogether more honest and direct in sentiment.

As elsewhere the sorrowful melodies, impeccable structure and haunted mood prove
that The Bêtes Noires have a skilful and distinct grasp of atmospherics. All in all
they have delivered a thrilling three track tease, we can’t wait for the long player.

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The Betes Noires from Belfast quite probaby have records by The Pixies, Ash and Sugar
in their collections. 'Last Guest To Leave' swaggers in with great high spirits to get the
party rocking with a song built on decent riffing and chorus. 'New Golden Rules' is early U2
with touches of grunge, an effective arrangement and a more restrained vocal approach.
'Breakdowns' has a more synth flavour allied to a thumping rhythm and shows a more
mellow side to the band. They may not be as "alt" as they think, but it'll do just fine.

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The Betes Noires are a four piece alt- rock band from Belfast. They have adopted their
name from the French for 'pet hate'. This probably won't become ironic unless your pet
hate is pop rock brilliance. Singer Paul McIver bears a distinct similarity to Julian
Casablancas of The Strokes, with a gruff vocal hidden in the haze of distortion the rest
of the band make.

The band has recently become a four piece with the introduction of Angie McCrisken.
This has shown its advantage immediately with the beautiful backing vocals she
provides on 'New Golden Rules' a track that takes the pop meets rock sensibilities of
their fellow countrymen Ash and pushes it down a faster more direct route.

Keep your ears peeled for The Betes Noires, they make rabble rousing pop rock
and they could go on to make that rabble on a much bigger stage. 4/5

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This weeks mugshot victims are the newly expanded Betes Noires, who now come
with added keyboard goodness in the form of new recruit Angie McCrisken.
With the band's collective attractiveness now approaching positively dangerous
levels, they have been busy as ever of late doing their usual amount of touring
beyond our unfair city, including their first ever London headline gig at the Bull
and Gate.

Somehow, they've also found the time to record three new songs, the first of
which is called Last Guest ToLeave and is sadly not about certain local characters
who have been known to remain at the odd social gathering until the bitter, police
enforced end. An up tempo number, it builds on the already established Betes
Noires sound, namely, robust, melodic indie rock with a rousing chorus.

Paul McIvers voice is in particularly fine and deep form here and all in it should
make a neat addition to their already loaded canon.

New Golden Rules finds the band opening their sound, allowing Angie's piano
to take the lead on the verses. The typically urgent chorus brings the guitars back
with a gusto and also features some nice backing vocals from the newest Betes
Noires member.

An energetic yet plaintive outing, breakdowns adds synth into the mix, giving
the straight ahead three chord tune a little extra oomph. The catchy chorus
hook is once again present and correct, there's good use of back up vocals
throughout and the band already seem more than comfortable with their
expanded sonic palate. Don't believe me ? Why not check out their
myspace page where you can listen to the tracks.

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Various Artists-Parlour 9 Sessions: Vol.1

This lo- fi rock ‘n’ roll CD features three songs each from up and coming underground
UK bands Salvo, Empty Vessels, The Betes Noires and Dolium......

The Betes Noires ‘Visceral Path’ is a perfect example of how this band exude confidence
and real musical talent through its infectious sound, and ‘My Political Friend’ and ‘The
Process’ are both equally as edgy and of high quality. This band definitely have the
potential to be successful in the mainstream.

At first I was dubious as to just how good these songs could sound after reading in the
press release that they were recorded on basic, portable recording equipment in attics,
garages and living rooms but I genuinely think that this works in favour for the CD as
it’s not perfectly polished and makes you feel as though you are getting an up close
and personal sense of the true spirit of the bands, all of which bring a different sound to
the record.

This compilation is released on March 27th so if you want to hear real raw music
with energy and passion go and check it out!

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Various Artists-Parlour 9 Sessions: Vol.1

This compilation CD is subtitled The Sound Of Lo-Fi Superior and is the first release of it's
kind through Parlour 9. The CD brings together raw unpolished recordings from four up and
comping acts: Dolium, Salvo, Empty Vessels and Rhythm & Booze faves The Betes Noires.

The CD was put together by Dolium frontman and producer Reece Adamo, who is basically
putting his lo-fi recording techniques to use by recording as many REAL up and coming
bands as possible. Reece takes his portable recording equipment andc records the groups in
their natural habitat, be it a rehearsal room, attic or living room in order to record the band at
their primal best.

The sessions on here have been often rushed, unorganised and un-equipped however what
they lack in technology and time they more than make up for with energy and spirit......

Before receiving this compilation I had screamed the praises of The Bete Noires to every
passer-by and so their inclusion on this disc instantly had me dribbling like a bsby. Now on
the group's two previous demos (that I've reviewed elsewhere on this site) the band offered
up potentially mainstream bothering anthems with a lovely polished sheen that screamed to
be played on the radio. So hearing the Belfast trio's offerings came as a little bit of a shock.
Sure the songs are still stunning with huge hooks but without the big production of old they
seem to actually have even more energy. Take Visceral Path for instance, this version seems
to have even greater urgency then before.......

If you want your music brilliantly produced with no misstakes then I suggest you look elsewhere,
however if you don't mind how raw a recording is just as long as the music's good then grab a
load of this. personally I love to hear bands strip away the production and just let the music
talk so for me this is (im)perfection.

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The Betes Noires are Belfast's hardest working band, enthusiastic, dedicated and constantly
gigging, they are the all-in-one package of high-spirited power grunge pop rock. With a
knack for a tune while keeping it heavy with big riffs, gritty guitars and impressive bass
lines, this three-piece have figured out the receipe that Ash, The Pixies and QOTSA cooked
up. Check them out at www.betesnoires.com.

The Betes Noires have been having a great 2005 thus far, building up a nice little profile
for themselves on the London circuit. They've also been added to the TMF Rock Festival
in Essex next Saturday.

On the CD we have a brand new version of one of the band's best songs, appropriately
enough called 'Show of Strength'. Since this appeared on the bands first EP back in 2003,
its been thoroughly road-tested and tweaked to perfection. Thus, with the added benefit
of lots more studio time under their belts, the new version rocks approximately two and a
half times harder. The extra keyboard drone and punctuations at the beginning fill out the
sound nicely, while the added grit to the guitar tone on the huge chorus is a neat way of
offering a dirty little counterpoint to the song's obvious melodic, indie-rock stylings.

The vocals are as strong and clear as ever, while a few tweaks in the arrangement here
and there help to make this the definitive version of a great song. Scuzzier and catchier
than ever it deserves to play loud on a radio near you - and why not?

Tracks two and three have (I think) been part of the groups live set for a while now, so
the chance to finally hear 'Dirty Fair' and 'Playground' in their recorded forms is a treat.

The former track is a sad/happy melodic rocker, with bright upbeat chordings and
smooth vocals riding an up-tempo backbeat all the way to another great big chorus,
lined with 'oooh' backing vocals: 'Have you ever felt a prick of regret? / Do you feel
yourself in disguise?' Yes indeed, I think we've all been there. A cool chorded bass-led
breakdown forms the dark heart of this song, borrowing the main riff from the Ned's
classic 'Titch to pave the way for a quick bit of soul-cleansing noisy guitar wrangling
and screaming before back into the sappy chorus one last time.

'It's alright to miss when you've lost sight of what to aim for' is the first line of
'Playground', an ode to unrequited love, missed opportunities and crushed hopes that
zip along on a pounding beat and turbo-strummed guitars. Falling somewhere between
Jawbreaker and The Wedding Present in terms of gloriously noisy self-pity, this one
underlines the fact that the band are unlikely to be trading their alt rock roots for
stadium-orientated pomp anytime soon - they're too classy for that y'see.

The Betes Noires are definitely a band you want to check out live, as they bring their
more anthemic songs to life onstage with surprising power for a three piece. The
faster, thrasher numbers in the set (of which there are a few) are also a blast and I'm
pretty sure their current live set would make a blinder of a debut album in its recorded form.


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Watch out, The Betes Noires are hitting overdrive. This new batch of tunes, coupled
with increasingly frenetic and charged live appearances prove that this Northern
Ireland three piece are one of the best unsigned bands in the country.
Transcending that extremely difficult line between being commercially accessible and
cool as fuck, The Betes Noires win simply because their songs are stirring, melodic
and still maintain an edge to keep the cool kids happy.

Live favourite ‘Show of Strength’ is given a re-working by Neal Calderwood, the
production is crystal clear and it accentuates the bands knack of changing pace from
an atmospheric lilt to a shattering melee of crashing guitar, torpedo drums and stadium
inducing hooks. The songs have that quality of nostalgia, those tunes that soundtrack
your life, the melodies stick and conjure emotion and you instantly remember the good
or bad times when you heard them. You know the bands that do this for you and you
also know they are extremely rare.

The first of two new recordings ‘Dirty Fair’ could just be the finest slab of melodic
vitriol the Betes Noires have produced yet, just surpassing the sublime ‘The Future
is Missing’. The volume is induced, the guitars shudder and Simon’s vocals are at
their most forceful, the hook ‘have you ever felt the break-up regret’ make the heart
skip a beat whilst your endorphins rush with abandon. ‘Playground’ is a radio friendly
soiree that would not be out of place blasting from the stereo of a white van man whilst
he whistles at the gorgeous bird at the traffic lights. They rock like Therapy but sound
sweeter than ‘Sugar’. The Betes Noires could easily be big, they will dodge the
Razorlight/Snow Patrol syndrome, they will keep their heads firmly away from their
arseholes and they will keep producing great songs with meaning. Your new favourite
band could just be able to keep you on-side whilst ripping through the mainstream.
Get involved now.

Belfast'sAMP has found it’s way to Belfast to bring a band to your attention, a band
who are currently unsigned, a fact which will soon change, we have come across a
band who quite simply need to be heard by as many people as possible. The band are
a three piece consisting of Simon, Paul and Ryan, they formed in June 2003 and are
called Betes Noires.

Betes Noires have spent a lot of time on the road building a strong fanbase and
impressing everywhere they go. They have played gigs throughout, Belfast, Derry,
Dublin, Liverpool and London. Played with The Rakes, Tim Wheeler, The Basement
and will be supporting Art Brut in Belfast 02nd June. Betes Noires have won fans in
the industry including none other than indie legend and the maker of many bands
Steve Lamacq who played Betes Noires on his 6 music show.

Listening to Betes Noires you get the impression they have been influenced by the
likes of Electric Soft Parade, Ash, Feeder and Queens Of The Stone Age. They have
taken the best bits of each of these bands and discovered a sound of their own, a
sound which can make each and everyone of your lives better.

Two EP’s have been released which should do more than enough to make the
industry stop and take notice of a band that need to gatecrash their way into every
CD collection. My Political Friend and What We Lost In The Process are songs that
have hit single written all over them. Betes Noires give us songs, which are uplifting,
and feelgood anthems, songs that make you smile, punch your fists in the air with joy
and dance as if your life depends on it. Songs that would not sound out of place in a
students hall of residence or an indie disco or making their way onto the daytime
playlists of every major radio station. What We Lost In The Process in particular is a
real stand out, a song which puts the charts to shame, with the lines “Most second
chances are better the first time”, and “it’s becoming hard to forget my regrets”. I don’t
think I’ll ever be able to understand why songs this good are not sat proudly at the
top of the pop charts.

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Belfast's Betes Noires are coming over to London to play four big shows. Their QOTSA /
Sugar / Pixies-influenced rock has a bunch of labels foaming at various orifices, so
discover what all the kerfuffle is about at www.betesnoires.com

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This is a compilation of their first three releases / demos. Ten tracks. All ten are wonderful.
All ten swagger powerfully. All ten are assured, accomplished and glossy beasts without
an ounce of fat. All ten are real rock songs and I love the fecking lot of them, “My Political
Friend” is a particular favourite, the drum sound and the drumming is amazing and if anyone
remotely ‘famous’ released it it’d be greeted as their best ever. Overall this is a set of suitably
loutish and rough rock tunes all sensitively smoothed with their literacy, both in the musical
and lyrical senses, because The Betes Noirs are bright sparks as well as nasty, tight arse
rockers, making this the kind of material that’s good for the whole night. You can listen and
grin, grimace and get as jealous as hell over their wordsmithery and you’ll still be able to
headbang the wall to the sub-sabbath riffs of “Visceral Path” at three in the morning. Don’t
believe it? Don’t blame you, get down to www.betesnoires.com

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The English language is a strange animal. The literal French meaning of 'bêtes noires' is the
darkly demonic 'black beasts', but the English translation is the comparatively
sweet-sounding 'pet hates'. So what sort of creature are this Belfast trio? Is their music laden
with satanic overtones or does it veer towards the lighter end of the musical spectrum?

Well, up-tempo opener 'Janet Puritanic' inflicts an instant blast of dirty garage rock with Paul
McIver's powerful vocals and a mosh-inducing hook but, like all of the tracks on offer here, it
retains an undeniable pop-edged accessibility. 'The Future Is Missing' is a lighter affair,
combining jangling guitar with a shimmering chorus from alternate frontman Simon Kelly that
shines so brightly you can almost feel the sun on your face if you shut your eyes for a
moment. Almost every track has at least one element to prick up your ears and imprint itself
on your mind, a rare exception being posturing plodder 'Show Of Strength'.

Various influences are clear for all to hear, the Pearl Jam-style power-grunge of 'Yankee's
Troubled Birth', a touch of Smashing Pumpkins' quiet/loud drama on 'Clean', but the band
the Bêtes Noires appear to aspire to most are Ash. This is most apparent on the smiling,
fast-paced pogo-hop of 'Visceral Path', though in spite of the obvious inspiration from Tim
Wheeler (who the band have recently supported) and co, its spirited, carefree attitude
means it manages to stand on its own two feet admirably.

The music is driven and lively and the production virtually faultless, but while they would
blow away many aspiring bands on the small stage, they may need to add that all important
je ne sais quoi to their sound to successfully break into the big time - at present they are
not unique in what they do but they do it very well. Yet to even talk about the Bêtes Noires
in such terms is a credit to them, there are signed bands out there with far less inspiration
and many of these songs would sound perfectly at home on the radio.

They are certainly worth keeping an eye on and this free CD is well worth blagging or
downloading from their website so you can hear this energetic, not to mention highly
professional, demo for yourself.

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Making a name for themselves already in Belfast, and a band probably due to appear on
your radio some time soon: the bêtes noires are in line with other hard rock indie acts
combining multiple methods of guitar play of hard riffs, chords, be it loud or soft, be it gritty
of melancholic, it's all here. This CD (ten well recorded tracks from three EP's recorded all in
the space of one year), is also a nice change from the norm with deep bassy vocals as
opposed to screaming yelps over standard rock. Inoffensive, clean, likely to get somewhere.
Listen to them while they're cheap.

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The Betes Noires are a Belfast based trio who have put out 3 demos. The latest one is the
one under review here. It is a three-track effort containing the songs "What We Lost in the
Process", "Visceral Path" and "My Political Friend". All three songs were recorded in Manor
Park studios by Neal Calderwood.

"What We Lost in the Process" is a great opener for any demo and really announces what
the Betes Noires are all about. The song is driven by a strong bassline and overdriven
guitars. It's a very, very catchy grunge anthem, real Queens of the Stone Age stuff, and the
production is very strong. This tune is always going somewhere and doing something and
never leaves you pondering your navel.

Next up is "My Political Friend", for me the stand out track on a very good demo (definitely
one of the best I have heard so far). There is a definite tip of the musical hat to Nirvana on
this one, with a hint of Soulwax and the Queens of the Stone Age. "My Political Friend" is
another song that's always doing something interesting and taking you along for the ride.
If The Betes Noires sound anything like this live then everyone's in for a treat.

The final effort is "Visceral Path", to my ears the weakest track on this demo. It's a Pixies
sounding grunge affair, which doesn't grab you the way that "What We Lost" and "My
Political Friend", do. However, it would be hard for a lot of songs to follow those as they
are particularly strong. If you get the chance go to their website and check these tunes out,
they come highly recommended.

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The Betes Noires (French for Pet Hate apparently) are a three-piece that hail from Belfast, they
formed back in June of 2003 and quickly recorded their debut EP, since then they've toured
around the country and this year they've already chalked up a support slot with The AM
(the late Jeff Buckley 's former band).

The opening number on here Janet Puritanic is a fantastic opening number a rousing almost
garage rock anthem with a huge chorus and hook, it's brash and full of attitude, utterly
infectious. The Future Is Missing is less abrasive than the opener but no less essential a
catchy upbeat rocker that's refrained yet passionate. Yankee's Troubled Birth is the sound
of a band on top form angular guitars, driving bass and drums and howling vocals that are
more than equal to any of the big rock acts of today and the song continues to crescendo
to a huge finale an utterly bombastic track from start to finish.

The final track of EP2 begins with subtly before a huge riff crashes in and takes your hand
into a grunge arena, only this isn't some retread of a previously deceased genre this is a
completely engaging and powerful song that would have sat proudly amongst Pearl Jam's
Ten era catalogue if Pearl Jam had have stood on the power switch a little harder.

Including their first EP on this CD gives you an idea of how the band have progressed from
their conception and a chance to hear more of this fucking terrific act. The opening song of
their first EP Visceral Path shows that even in the bands first year they had that ability to
write essential anthems, it's a punky blur of energy. Show Of Strength has been compared
elsewhere to U2 and I have to say that whoever said that is completely right only it's the
sound of Bono and the boys of yesteryear when they still wrote huge choruses, if U2 wrote
songs like Show Of Strength I'd probably worship the ground they walk on, thankfully
instead I can champion The Betes Noires instead. The other two songs on here Plastercut
and Black/Blue Ink are just as strong as the rest of the bands material with the first being a
gigantic sounding indie rock anthem complete with soaring chorus and the latter a more
refrained tambourine shaking reflective number. Everyone of these eight songs are fucking
incredible, someone should give this band a stack of cash and get them to release an album.
If you're going to get in touch with just one unsigned band in your life make sure it's this
band, speak to them nicely and they may even send you a CD.

Right I'm off to tell everyone how much they need The Betes Noires in their collections.

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They are from Belfast, you know. There are three of them. There name is French for ‘Pet Hate’
(Only I am yet to work out how to use accents over ‘E’, I am after all a fucking idiot)…… I am
going to stop being quite so literal for now. I was being that way to illustrate a point, I was
doing a literal review of a literal band. Don’t for one minute think that that is a bad thing….
Oh no! What I mean is that The Betes Noires are a band that plays music that is beautiful in
its simplicity. A tight three piece band playing really well crafted music, songs that rely on
song writing and not the academics of music, they don’t hide behind a wall of sound to
disguise their inabilities to write a great song.

Throughout the CD there are glimpses of many different sounds coming from the band but all
unified by the fact that the strength of songwriting is as strong as any popular rock act I can
think of that are bothering the charts these days. There are flashes of later day Idlewild,
aspects of Queens of the Stoneage and Therapy? And to top it off a twist of U2, not U2 now,
but back when they were actually a decent band who could knock out a tune or two. I
suppose that is what sets The Betes Noires apart from most of the sack that we get sent
each month; they actually have the songs.

Thanks, that’s cheered me up no end.

<Drew Millward>

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The fusion of EPs from March 2004 (EP2) and September (2003) produced by the earnest Belfast
based trio sees them giving off a sincere and clattering feel. The fusion of prominently strident
guitars and an uplifting keyboard instrumental accompaniment with the soft and soulful vocals
of Paul Mciver and Simon Kelly, wows listeners by producing emotional and intelligent music in
the robust vein of The Electric Soft Parade and, to a lesser extent; Feeder.

It is tough for the untrained ear to separate the two EPs because they merge together in a mass
of frantic music as well as at times; disgruntled and lacerating lyrics, such as in ‘Plastercut’;

“You don’t seem happy I’m around, you lock yourself up in your sound.
You hide your courage in your frown“.

The Betes Noires possess that impressive ability to lift things up from maudlin and humble
beginnings to cheery and sprightly endings. ‘Clean’ being an example of this, as the slow start
simply tugs at your heart like a love poem before the heavenly vocals release your soul and spirit,
well at least for a few minutes anyway, until the start of the next track. The feel good anthem that
could kick or punt (if you prefer?) this likable trio into recognition is ‘Show Of Strength’ that
proffers the “be strong until the end” motto. This debut contains enough to divert interest away
from much of the sap pop out there and is as natural as a spring lamb, not a distorted vocal within
earshot.

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I must admit that I have been putting this review off for a long time. We've had a lot of work to occupy
us here at TINTV of late and the last thing I wanted to deal with was another potentially
underwhelming demo. It's a sad truth that there are just too many bands in this world and that most of
them are utter shit. Certainly most of the unsigned bands we come across reek like a festering cesspool
but luckily for me The Betes Noires appear like a breath of fresh air in a quagmire of faecal maladies. In
fact they fall just short of being a godsend (well after all, nobodies perfect).

Opener "Janet Puritanic" (from the Irish trios second EP) may have the kind of title that makes you
brace yourself for an onslaught of over enthusiastic, Camdenite shitemongery but when it arrives it is
happily nothing of the sort. Buzz saw guitars and a huge bell bottomed bassline smother any
preconceptions and leave a huge high velocity bed for the vocals to swell over the top of. Lovely. Just
the ticket in fact.

From that point you are very aware that you are listening to one of the best bands (unsigned or
otherwise) currently trotting around the globe. After getting an earful of the massive Pixie's like "Show
of Strength", the infectious "The Future Is Missing" or the beefy angular shapes of "Yankee's
Troubled Birth" the fact that they've only been together for just over a year seems preposterous.

The Betes Noires deserve to be signed and pushed to the moon. They belong not to the vile excess of
also rans ultimately sloshing their way toward the bargain bins but to the famous colonies (with all the
money they deserve they could move next door to Phil Collins and chuck stuff over his fence). I'm well
aware of the arrogant, money grabbing vagaries of the music industry and the evil ways in which it
blatantly ignores talent in favour of ripe ass but if they go unnoticed by the music world at large for
long I might very well have to put on my camp hat and scream like a bitch.

<adam farrer>

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Ah! Frenetic 90s pop punk just like how mummy Ash used to make it! Belfast’s Bêtes Noire’s
second EP sees them sharpen further from their earlier highly charged antics. ‘Janet Puritanic’ sets out
the stall – alt rock a la Nirvana, Snow Patrol and Idlewild with furious tempo and relentless driving
rhythms balanced with even more pop melody. As the proceedings sharpen further we see the Ulster
three-piece shape up to the 00s with a penchant for Sonic Youth style noise and dissonance. ‘The
Future is Missing’ is more introspective and melancholic but no less invigorating dressed up by
playful keyboards and well appointed falsetto harmonies. It won’t set the world on fire but it is
nevertheless what The Bêtes Noires excel at; mixing reflection with high volumes.

‘Yankee’s Troubled Birth’ starts with a fantastically catchy and bent riff. Such a weighty piece gives
the illusion that your speakers are the verge of collapse. It’s brooding and ominous but sadly it
descends into a bit of an inert repetition which makes for a minor disappointment considering the
potential exhibited in the first few seconds.

What also makes The Bêtes Noires’s second outing more interesting are the sounds, textures and
moods that occur outside of the main action and in peripheral moments for example on the intro to
the more downbeat but no less decibel ridden ‘Clean’. Keyboards, synth strings and effects-laden
guitar add an extra bit edge to what is already a strengthened return.

<Dave Himelfield>

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