Customer Reviews

The Bird & The Bee

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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

When was the last time you were really glad to have bought a CD? I ended my dry spell when I went out and snagged a copy of The Bird & The Bee's self titled album. Really, I had no choice: the hook from "Again & Again" was stuck in my head for THREE DAYS, likely a record.

Just when I was done marveling at the melody in that signature track, I was amazed again (& again) by Inara's vocal harmonies in the chorus of "My Fair Lady." It made me think of some kind of twinkling singing fairies in a 70's Disney picture, without the annoying smarmy aftertaste.

It's like Freezepop, only more mature.
It's like Stereolab, only more personal.
It's like Dot Allison, only more substantial.

It's like a breath of fresh air that someone is finally producing really good music so I can start buying CDs again. Bravo The Bird & The Bee!

I've meant to say this since the release party but you must, must, must pick this up now along with Inara's solo cd for music you're going to come back to again and again and tell your friends about. It's not the best music ever made but it's music that'll stay with you and just about everyone you play it for will enjoy.

...this isn't very critical but I hope it encourages you to give it a try! And if you've got a chance to catch them live Don't Miss Out!

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.

As I grew up in the 60's, I must say up front that I am spoiled rotten... Some of the songs released from 1966 through 1969 defined an era and shaped a generation. I own about 500 Cd's, most from 1964 to 1980. In the new millennium, I've had a difficult time relating to the music and lyrics dominating the airwaves and media. As a musician, I haven't found tunes I would want to learn and play until...
I discovered the Bird and Bee at work. Reebok International has a music mode system, one of them entitled "Metro Blend". One morning I heard this mind blowing song mixing exotic, haunting music with kooky exceptional lyrics. The song was "Lalala". I ran into the office to see who the band was that performed the song. That evening, I ordered their Cd on Amazon, and I haven't stopped listening to it since. Every song is a gem. Inara and Greg have a way of taking their tunes right to the edge without going over the line into schmaltz or boredom. The Bird and Bee combine Pop, Rock, Techno and Jazz into most of their songs as well as quirky, unforgettable lyrics. I recommend their album highly. You won't be sorry, I promise you.

This is unquestionably one of my favorite albums of the past few years! With the beauty of the Carpenters and the brains of performers such as Ivy and Kate Havnevik, "The Bird and the Bee" CD is downright scary in how it pulls you in...it plays in my stereo on a regular basis.

You might have heard Inara George's solo work as well as the track "again and again" on the "Grey's Anatomy" soundtracks. George has the kind of voice that smart tv shows know how to use to great effect.

The absolute best:

-"again and again": Both cynical and sweet, this song is more than catchy, it circles in your head like thoughts of a crush you can't forget. Ethereal and sort of jazzy, it is pop on ice--and a command to push "repeat."

-"birds and the bees": I didn't like this one at first (it put my teeth on edge) but then I got swept into the lush fourth verse--I think it's the fourth one--that goes, "Get into the car to make the light/ to go fast, to go slow"--It's just spectacular and proof that you can end up loving a song you thought you'd hate...

-"f&cking boyfriend": This is the biggest guilty pleasure to be found here. I love it, but I feel like such a bad girl when I sing along:)...It's a fun track and ironically, probably the most Burt Bacharach-sounding of them all.

-"I'm a Broken Heart": Here you find lots of vulnerability and true emotion...it's so gorgeous...it really does break your heart! Put it on when you're hurting, but yearning for a little hope.

-"la la la": This is the one that instantly made me think of the Carpenters!! The lyrics "make yourself free, make yourself grow" are in perfect sync with the beautiful harmony. Other impressive lines:

"Take yourself out, hit the tambourine
We have loaded up your eyes and fed you tangerines
If you open up your box you will find a time machine
If you try to find a scratch there'll be no signs of where you
have been."--(incredibly well-written and addictive)


-"I Hate Camera": Hilarious and provocative, this grabs you with the "don't take my picture" hook...love that part!!


-"Because": It's like "I'm a Broken Heart" in that you'll find lots of poignancy and world weary charm...it's not as lovely, but just as touching.

The above are the ones that linger in my mind and ears the most, but that's not to say the others aren't equally as good, just not as memorable. Give it a try just "because."

Blue Note (the Jazz label) releases their foray into the realm of pop. It definitely isn't a bad venture, and The Bird & The Bee's album is far from the immature, thoughtless brand of pop you'll drown in if you listen to the radio. Inara George & Co. provide us with lush soundscapes, sexy and seductive beats, racy and interesting lyrics, soft and gentle electronica, and a fresh album to chew on for the year 2007.

The thing that makes The Bird & The Bee's very existence humorous is that their first single, "F**king Boyfriend" was a HUGE clubland smash, with a hot remix by Ralphi Rosario & Jody Den Broeder. It was a hands-in-the-air affair and when I heard some of the other songs (Again & Again, Because) after being so engrossed with the remix of "Boyfriend", I was let down. I expected more remixable tracks, which is probably not the direction they were intentionally going in, but I didn't mind at all.

I got over my initial disappointment and bought the album the other day, and I was blown away at how good it was. Even the aforementioned tracks which were initially not very good (in my opinion at the time) have since proven to be strong and desirable tracks on my playlist. Furthermore, so much of the album has grabbed me that I find myself not really wanting to listen to much else (although I do, because I have Music ADD) but I keep coming back to this.

"I'm A Broken Heart", "La La La", "My Fair Lady", "I Hate Camera", "Preparedness", and "Spark" are also standout tracks. I believe I've mentioned everything except the track "Birds And The Bees" which I really haven't listened to all that much. There's so much here for people to listen to, so many different styles that you really can't go wrong. And I love how Inara's vocals are layered so on some songs it almost sounds like she is part of a female barbershop quartet (specifically "I Hate Camera") and it's definitely not a bad thing.

Give them a chance, and The Bird & The Bee will wriggle a way into your heart, your mind, and your "favorites" collection. This album is a certifiable winner!

Inara George keeps getting better and better...I've adored her from her first band Lode, through her second band Merrick (whose debut album is among my top 10 favorite albums in my collection of 3500+ cds), her great solo debut, and now the current incarnation as The Bird and The Bee.

The songs on the album are deliciously catchy, well written, interestingly arranged, and will get stuck in your head for days. And yet, once you delve underneath the glittery sheen, the album is quite dark in terms of song content and message - sort of the same phenominom that the Cardigans have...you really need to listen carefully to get the full meaning.

I know this is one of the albums destined to be on my year end best of 2007 list and something that will be much enjoyed for years to come - when you tire of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, or whatever other pop-flavor du jour, be glad you have taken the time to savour this album!

I just bought it and I love it... Remember Tom Tom Club from the 80s? It is very reminiscent of them on some tracks... It's also a cross between Portishead (for the beats and edginess) and Azure Ray (for the soft, melodic and graceful delivery by Inara George) ... The keyboardist, Greg Kurstin, has a touch like Ray Manzerek of The Doors. You could do without some of the repetitiveness of the lyrics, but the album retains its beauty through the imagery that it invokes and its very cleverly produced tracks... An absorbing sound... I highly recommend it. This is a very good album!