Mike Gaito, 'Beard of Bees'

Beginning with a hardcore buzz of instruments, the first track(25 sec.) of Mike Gaito's 'Beard of Bees' calmly transitions into the title track in which a softly-plucked acoustic guitar is accompanied by a harmonizing hum singing "It's not the things that I want to give to you/It's freedom from the world." 'Beard of Bees' although experimental, is nonetheless positive. With songs like "Pagan Educated Guess Listening Credenza," "Hobart the Emu," and "Aspargus and Glass" the listener should expect all aspects and styles of music from this generously mad album. - Michael Fecher