The Beta Band – Hot Shots II (2001)
Fabulous logo by Sarca @ caughtmegaming
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[Album 549/1001]
“I had to come, it was a sequel”
– Ramada, from the 1993 film Hot Shots! Part Deux
On the wikipedia page for Hot Shots II, the second album by The Beta Band, there’s a redirect link at the top, “Not to be confused with Hot Shots! Part Deux”
Surprisingly, my experience with the two Hot Shots IIs wasn’t all that dissimilar:
a) In both cases, I saw/heard the ‘sequel’ before exploring the first installment
b) There were new-to-me moments reminiscent of more previously familiar material (the Beach Boys-esque harmonies/XTC-ish layering/Kid A-y moments on the album, the movie parodies in the film)
c) I liked both right away
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If I’d experienced this album for the first time as a 12-year-old, as I did with the other part deux, I might not have been a fan.
To be fair, as a 12-year-old slapstick comedy fan in 1993, I was the precise demographic of the film’s target audience!
But even though this Hot Shots II is sorely lacking in the Lloyd Bridges department, I think it’s more than worthy of its shared name.
…..
Verbalize the Positive
It’s hard to choose between his roles in Airplane & Hot Shots, but either way, Lloyd Bridges was brilliant!
1001albumsin10years 
I’d never thought about it before, but the album DOES lack some Lloyd Bridges. Despite that obvious shortcoming, it’s terrific.
Factoid: There are no Beta Band albums in my version of The Book, more’s the shame.
That is a shame – and surprising, that both of their albums from the list have since been deemed ‘no longer necessary’ to hear before you die.
I think to keep the new editions of the book at 1001 – the music from the 90s/2000s will likely be where the book deletes previous entries to make room for new ones.
Maybe a Lloyd Bridges cameo would have kept it on the list?!
So Bruce, does that mean you can’t now die if you’ve heard them? or does it mean that Geoff now HAS to die? I’m confused.
(I’ve never heard any Beta Band, so I’m kinda stalling for time too).
I can’t do existential paradoxes before breakfast. Sorry.
I’m just not very comfortable with the book title, it’s all a bit Scherezade for me.
God, she was a bore. Thank heavens disco came along and killed off story-telling.
Perhaps the 2nd Beta Band entry (or entry that is no longer entered in the revised book?) will provide more clarity!
When I read the hint the other day I thought the album would be called ‘Part Deux.’
I would have approved of such an album title!
It’s been a long time since I’ve heard this one. Since I listened to any Beta Band, actually. Reckon there’ll be a wee dusting down of CDs this week as I revisit them. A sorely missed band.
I was curious as to what you thought of these guys J – with homegrown acts, I wonder if countries sometimes get too excited about them and hit the point of overexposure.
Glad to read that doesn’t seem to be the case here – I’ll be interested to hear how the wee dusting down goes!
I don’t think they ever got the exposure some of the other homegrown acts got (the likes of Belle & Sebastian or Franz Ferdinand, for example)… or it might just be that I like them more? I dunno.
Dusting down didn’t go too well… I have been unable to locate my Beta Band CDs!
Oh no – Hopefully they’ll materialize at some point!
I’m sure they’re somewhere…
To be honest, though I loved a bunch of their tunes, I think I like Steve Mason’s solo work more than I do that of The Beta Band.
I don’t recognize any of the solo titles on his wikipedia page – interesting to read he’s a decent golfer!
Boys outside is a particularly excellent track. Don’t know much about his golf stroke though.
Oh and I just reread the page – it’s his dad Peter that’s the keen golfer, perhaps Steve focuses more on music!
Interesting point of comparison though. I think I agree with VC, this album does lack some Lloyd Bridges.
The album was fine without – but a cameo could have only enhanced!
Lloyd Bridges is the man! I used him in my Sausagefest intro tape this year. “Looks like I picked the wrong time to quit sniffing glue.”
brilliant Mike!
Hot Shots Part Deux I have seen. Hot Shots Part II, I have not heard nor any other Beta band album or song (that I am aware of). If it did have Lloyd, I would have heard it.
I think I would have said the same thing before this week!
I love the pun on deux on the poster. The cringier, the better, when it comes to punning!
I agree – I’d forgotten about the Nike slogan reworking on the poster!
Also I would recommend The Beta Band’s offshoot, The Aliens, who released a couple of great albums in 2007 and 2008.
Recommendation is appreciated!
I actually paid coin to go and see the first Hot Shots movie at the theatre..
Didn’t have that “Winning” Vibe that night when I left the show..
Haha
He was on a better ‘winning’ streak in the early 90s, a pretty good ’93 with hot shots II and the 3 musketeers!
I am a simple man. I see Hot Shots, I hit Like!
Glad you dug the Beta Band!
After listening, my wonderful wife suggested we watch Hot Shots II – I too am a simple man, I agreed immediately & enthusiastically!
Fantastic.
Hey, I can see my house from herrrrrrrrre…!