Me Like Bees “The Ides” 2013/2023, self-released, special 2-LP limited edition on grey vinyl. Shimmery, jangly indie rock from Joplin, Missouri, their debut album re-released for its 10th anniversary. We’ve been big Bees fans since seeing them at Mile of Music about 10 years ago, outdoors on one of those perfect Midwest summer evenings that is pure magic, and many times since, most recently about a week ago at X-Ray Arcade. They’ve been compared to Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes – I like those bands ok but Me Like Bees just hits better: their music is danceable, sweet but with an edge (which has gotten harder as they’ve gone through a few rhythm section changes over the years). Despite this being a relative recently acquisition, I know almost all of the tracks from seeing them so many times: The Ides is pure Bees, with all the shimmer, jangle and dancey beats I expect. A perennial crowd favorite – and one of mine, too – is “Ra Ra Etc.” It’s joyously infectious with a bit of stomp-and-holler attitude that the audience always embraces with a singalong. Other top tracks include the title track “The Ides” which has a killer two-stroke rhythm and another sing-along chorus. Fortunately this special 2-LP edition has live versions of both tracks, both recorded in their hometown of Joplin. Also great on The Ides is “Naked Trees,” the slow funk of “Fox Hole Down,” and both “Kids in the Kitchen” and “Joseph Jones” which have Jack White-inspired nuggets of stomping weirdness. (“Joseph Jones” also appears live on this version of The Ides).

Here’s a video of the show we saw them at in Appleton in 2016 when the Bees won my heart (not my video but we were there):