Voice Of The Beehive reissue second album

Honey Lingers, the second studio album by Voice Of The Beehive, is to be reissued on limited edition Pink Vinyl LP and expanded 2CD.

Originally released in August 1991, Honey Lingers was the band’s second consecutive Top 20 album, reaching Silver sales in the UK.

“I played Honey Lingers the other day for the first time in years and I have to admit that not only do I love it, but I prefer it to Let It Bee…” writes vocalist Tracey in the album’s sleeve notes. “To me, it’s like a psychotic melodic patchwork of every single emotion we were having… It spits, cries, shags, and dances and that was what we felt like we were doing as we toured, did television, press and general promotion all over the globe.”

The follow up to 1988’s Let It Bee, Honey Lingers saw the band – Californian vocalist sisters Tracey Bryn Belland and Melissa Brooke Belland (daughters of The Four Preps singer Bruce Belland), Daniel ‘Woody’ Woodgate of Madness on drums, Martin Brett on bass, and Mike Jones on guitar – build further on their signature mix of jangly guitars and melodic pop hooks, edging closer to a glossier, more mainstream sound.

I Think I Love You

Enlisting producers such as Don Was (The B-52s, Bob Dylan), Hugh Jones (Echo & The Bunnymen, The Charlatans) and Alan Tarney (a-ha, Saint Etienne), its three singles all broke the UK Top 40, lead single Monsters And Angels also gaining significant airplay on US College Radio, peaking at No.8 on the US Modern Rock chart, and its video receiving heavy rotation on MTV, inspired by Edward Hopper’s iconic painting Nighthawks.

The follow up single I Think I Love You, was an ebullient rock/rave take of The Partridge Family’s 1970 Top 20 US hit, produced by Don Was and with additional production by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow (of PWL Hit Factory fame), who had just scored a US No.1 with Right Here, Right Now for Jesus Jones. Its video emulated the energy of the ‘Orgy’ shows, with the band gathering their coolest friends and inviting them down for one big party on set.

The third and final single, the world-weary, introspective Perfect Place, became a firm fan favourite. “It’s the song that I get the most personal reactions to,” explains Tracey. “I received a letter from a gentleman who had lost his wife and played it at her funeral. It is because of all the responses I’ve gotten that I know I wasn’t so alone in this sentiment after all.”

Previously Unheard Versions

The expanded 2CD edition uncovers many previously unheard alternate versions, as the band’s label sought out different sounds and avenues in the search for a hit. In the era of multiple format singles, the band also released many B-sides, many of which appear on CD for the first time including the much loved Shine Away.

There’s also a slew of Lingers-era live tracks taken from their triumphant show at Kentish Town and Country Club. Recorded for Radio One, they amply showcase the band’s formidable prowess as one of the UK’s best live bands, touring with the likes of Prince, INXS and Crowded House across 1991 and 1992.

The CD version also includes Voice Of The Beehive’s version of The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter, recorded with Jimmy Somerville in 1993 for an EP raising funds for the Putting Our House in Order homeless initiative.

Tracklisting
LP

Side A
Monsters And Angels
Adonis Blue
I Think I Love You
Look At Me
Beauty To My Eyes
Side B
Just Like You
Little Gods
I’m Shooting Cupid
Say It
Perfect Place

2CD

Disc One
01 Monsters And Angels
02 Adonis Blue
03  I Think I Love You
04 Look At Me
05 Beauty To My Eyes
06 Just Like You
07 Little Gods
08 I’m Shooting Cupid
09 Say It
10 Perfect Place
11 Waitress
12 Only If You Want To
13 Pocketsize
14 Something About God
15 Shine Away
16 Dumb Club (Alternative Version) **
17 I Think I Love You (Don Was Guilty Pleasure Mix)
18 Perfect Place (7” Version)
19 Gimme Shelter (with Jimmy Somerville)
20 Say It (Acoustic Version) **
21 I’m Shooting Cupid (Acoustic Version) **
22 Perfect Place (Acoustic Version) **

Disc Two
01 Monsters And Angels (Alternative Version) **
02 I Think I Love You (Original Version 7” Remix) **
03 Look At Me (Original Remix) **
04 Just Like You (Phil Harding 7” Version) **
05 Little Gods (Spector Christmas Version) **
06 Perfect Place (Piano Version) **
07 Monsters And Angels (12” Version) **
08 I Think I Love You (Orgy Mix)
09 Perfect Place (Pat Collier Version) **
10 I Think I Love You (Don Was 1st Mix) **
11 VB – Goddess Of Love (Vocal Mix) **
12 I’m Shooting Cupid (Live) **
13 Little Gods (Live) **
14 Monsters And Angels (Live) **
15 Only If You Want To (Live) **
16 Adonis Blue (Live) **
17 Sit Down (Live)

** Previously unreleased

Fully remastered, the new editions are released on 4 April via London Records. Available to pre-order here.

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