Search - The Bird & The Bee :: The Bird & The Bee

Great music that's wonderfully original

Alf | San Rafael CA USA | 02/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, a pop album that has intelligent harmonies and a singer that can hit the notes and sing in tune. These songs are oddly retro and yet completely modern. I've heard the band refer to their style as "psychadelic Burt Bacharach" and I can see how that would apply to the music (although the lyrics are definitely not Hal David). It's laid back and edgy at the same time, and every song has something inventive to it. I believe the pick of the litter is Again and Again, and that it's destined to become a classic. I highly recommend this CD."

Something different, but really good.

Prem Lee Barbosa | San Jose, Ca, USA | 01/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I listen to lots of music, often from very divergent genres, I'm no music expert. I can't name drop or spew jargon to impress anyone--this is just a review. I'm here to express not impress.

The Bird and The Bee don't really sound like much of anything I've heard before. It's pretty jovial music, even if the songs aren't always about happy topics.

It's a bit dance with some very good use of the synthesizer. Inara's voice is very fresh, and meshes really well with the music.



I was sad that British band Moloko broke up, but I think the Bird and The Bee fill the void in my life for synth/dance/poppy/female lead music."

Unusual and refreshing.

Gary Peterson | San Diego, California USA | 04/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This self-titled offering from The Bird and the Bee is eclectic, to say the least. Vocalist and songwriter Inara George (The Bird) and multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin (The Bee) put together a collection of ten sophisticated and elegant poppish songs incorporating a variety of styles. The end product is musical, complex and rather strange sounding. It's a very unusual and original-sounding album. One of a kind. It's somewhat retro and somewhat "jazzy." In places the harmonies sound somewhat like the Beach Boys or sixties girl groups. Interesting mix.



The voice of Inara George is one of the highlights of the album. She comes across as charming and sultry. I looked her up on the internet and, sure enough, she looks the part. My lady friend says she reminds her of Chan Marshall. Hmmmm. Well, the voice is somewhat similar but the styles and content are much different. I really enjoy listening to her, but there's a certain limited range and sameness from song to song and it gets a bit tiresome listening to a whole album without a break. That's a weak criticism, I suppose. I'd say the songs are great but might benefit by being intermixed with other music. Another mild criticism I have has to do with some of the lyrics. "F*cking Boyfriend," in particular comes to mind. I have nothing against such songs, but I find myself having to be careful of playing the disc before certain people.



Kurstin wraps the irony-filled vocals with keyboard lines and rhythmic beats. Altogether, the music is rather simple, but it shimmers and shakes. The album is very original, refreshing and listenable, over and over. It's a charming and delightful CD, but I'd give it only four stars because of the listed problems.



Gary Peterson"