In my humble opinion, cooler weather requires some cooler music. The beauty of red and orange leaves, the chilly wind, and the dropping temperature all serve as an appropriate background for music that is equally more mellow and modest. Steve Gates’ A Bee In Her Mouth is exactly one of those slower-tempo albums, well suited for approaching October and November. There’s something so honest about this album – whether it’s Gates’ vocals, lyrics, guitar, or some magical combination of the three, this album is striking in how genuine all of its parts work together in producing music so true and homey. Like a warm sweater, this album wraps you up in gentle acoustics. Steve’s voice is soothing and strong, especially proven on opening track “Proud Conveys It,” as it swells from simple acoustic finger-picking to a full band crescendo with accompanying vocals. Most of the songs on this album are small narratives, telling stories of a land full of lost balloons, a little girl’s wishes, and a hilarious romp about hypocritical politicians and exclusivity in heaven. This album was one of those gems that just sort of fell into my lap while in theCKUW studio. Romantic at times, wistful at others, unrepentant almost always, A Bee In Her Mouth is one of the better acoustic releases I’ve heard in the past while. (Independent, stevegates.ca) Victoria King