Milk the Bee

Some album covers let you know exactly what type of music you are getting, while others are ironic in light of what the music actually sounds like; Milk the Bee has one of those ironic album covers. The front cover of this 2008 release depicts two men having a fistfight, which might lead some to believe that the Break and Repair Method are providing something that is loud, aggressive, or raucous — perhaps punk, perhaps hardcore, perhaps metal, perhaps industrial. But in fact, Milk the Bee is a very introspective and wistful effort with a strong adult alternative orientation. The leader of this project is Paul Doucette, who is best known for his work as a drummer/guitarist for Matchbox Twenty. Doucette has been quoted as saying that because his role in Matchbox Twenty has often been rhythmic and percussive rather than melodic or harmonic, he wanted to play a consistently melodic role on Milk the Bee — and in fact, pensive offerings such as "Won't Get Worse," "I'm at a Low," "Calling All Electrical Prints," and "You Won't Be Able to Be Sad" have a lot going for them melodically and harmonically. This was obviously a very hands-on CD for Doucette, who co-produced Milk the Bee in addition to handling the lead vocals and contributing piano, bass, guitar, and drums. And he is consistently tuneful, drawing on influences that include Crowded House, R.E.M., the Gin Blossoms, Billy Joel, and late-period Beatles (never let it be said that the Beatles — who broke up 38 years before this album came out — are not the rock & roll gift that keeps on giving). Milk the Bee isn't groundbreaking, but it's definitely a well-crafted and solid demonstration of what Doucette can do outside of Matchbox Twenty.