I bought this album simply to complete my Soft Boys collection - the painfully high price had kept me away for long enough, and I finally gave in. And it does not disappoint. If you love The Soft Boys, and if you enjoy Hitchcock's absurd lyrics, this is worth the price. "Sandra's Having Her Brains Out" is such a great song - heavier than most of Robyn's material, with delightful variances in the feel and texture throughout the song. "Human Music" is a softer song, which is lyrically and musically much more mature feeling than many of the other tracks on this album - a great song which really foreshadows much of Hitchock's music to come. Other favorites for this disc include "Leppo and the Jooves," along with "Skool Dinner Blues" which never fails to get me dancing or at the very least toe tapping. The Soft Boys harmonies are always lovely, and this first album really puts them to good use. For anyone else who, like me, shies away from buying this because of price and only OK reviews, just GO FOR IT. It's really very good. Hell, I even enjoy the live bonus material... a lot! It's not Underwater Moonlight, but really, nothing is up to that standard.

This is an awesome album, they rock very hard, highly venerable band from the U.K....

The Soft Boys debut A Can Of Bees is the easily the hardest album
in Hitchcock's career. It's a genuinely weird record from the school of Beefheart. "Sandra's Having Her Brain Out",
"Fatman's Son", "The Return Of The Sacred Crab", "The Pigworker" and "Do The Chisel" are all original, angular power pop.
"Human Music" sees Robyn's first great song.
Great four-part harmonies, intricate arrangements and great
jarring pop. Great guitar interplay between
Rew and Hitchcock. Crazy harmonica parts via Jim Melton.
All-in-all a great debut from a hugely influental band.

Collecting the three different versions of the immortal Soft Boy's first album on cd was quite an accomplishment... And it's a shame that Rykodisc's contract to release it are up. If you're a Hitchcock fan, it's a must. "Leppo and the Jooves", "Human Music", and many more are collected here. This was Hitchcock at his hardest, and when it works it is something to hear. Of course, not all of it works, but if this is your thing, you won't mind a bit. Hitchcock's "fishy" lyrics are both sardonic and strange, but crank it up and enjoy! And get it while you can!