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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As intoxicating as a Brazilian breeze and ironic as a David Lynch night in L.A., the Los Angeles duo the Bird and the Bee make a soothingly hip, deliriously cool blend of pop. Inara George is a breathy singer who channels Astrud Gilberto via Julee Cruise. Although still little known, she's the daughter of the late Lowell George of Little Feat, and she already has recordings out with a couple of other bands. Keyboardist and producer Greg Kurstin has worked with Beck and the Flaming Lips, among many others, and the duo share a passion for that brand of art pop along with the more whimsical indie strains of Le Tigre. The album is overflowing with references from '60s pop harpsichords to girl-group choruses. You half expect Lesley Gore to come out singing harmony on "I'm a Broken Heart," an homage to "It's My Party." A jazz aficionado, Kurstin has put all kinds of jazzbo touches in here, including some unlikely chord changes and tropicalia moods. Only "F*cking Boyfriend," with that phrase chanted in the chorus, seems artlessly out of place on an album that revels in sly innuendo and emotional ambiguity. --John Diliberto
Product Description
Already named one of '10 bands on the horizon in 2007' by the Los Angeles Times the press reaction to The Bird and The Bee has been extraordinary with early confirmed feature coverage including LA Times. Inara George and Greg Kurstin, alias The Bird and The Bee, are an army of two. They listen to everything, and answer to no one. Over the course of 3 years, they whiled away scattered afternoons in Greg's home studio in Echo Park, sequestered in a little world of their own making, creating sunshine-drenched, semippsychedelic ditties. Made up of vocalist Inara George, who has been aptly referred to as 'a modem day Audrey Hepburn with the voice of an angel,' and keyboardist/producer Greg Kurstin, who has lent his talents to records by Beck, The Flaming Lips, Lily Allen, Peaches, and many more, The Bird and The Bee take elements of everything from the Beach Boys to 60's Brazil to electronica, spinning them into this irrepressible collection of then sunshine-drenched, semi-psychedelic ditties.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Alf
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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
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
34 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By Will Irace
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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!
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!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a fantastic band!
I love every track on this album, but full disclosure, I was a fan of both the album and band before buying this ;)
Published 2 days ago by M. Baum
3.0 out of 5 stars
the bird and the bee mp3
Music is so so. Just bought it because a friend recommended it. Not really my cup of tea. Never heard of them before this.
Published 1 month ago by Jeff T. Klipp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
Full of great sounds, I really think this is my favorite from this duo.If you are thinking of adding it to your collection than DO.I listen to it often and never tire of it.
Published 21 months ago by peter everson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!!! A hidden gem with great replay value!!!
I have to say that I only bought/downloaded this CD because of the reviews I read here and a small sample of the music I listened to here. Read more
Published on November 6, 2010 by Kimberly Anne
1.0 out of 5 stars
Pointless Pop Drivel
All this album is is a pointless exercise in how to make pop unpalatable. Let's not kid ourselves, pop's standing as a legitimate musical genre has been cemented by Scott Walker,... Read more
Published on January 5, 2010 by J. Kopf
4.0 out of 5 stars
New light as the air experience
This music made me feel light as the air when I first listened to the cd. Not your usual pop music, nor indie either. Just light and free and bubbly like champagne.
Published on November 23, 2009 by Laura J. Conklin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Did NOT disappoint
I had only heard a few songs (Again & Again, I'm a Broken Heart, and La la la) from this album when I first bought it, but I really loved them and could never get tired of them. Read more
Published on September 26, 2009 by Melinda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome CD
I found out who these guys were from the Apple video on YouTube... I bought the album and heard all the other awesome music The Bird & The Bee makes. Read more
Published on June 19, 2009 by J. Tsai
4.0 out of 5 stars
"I'm lying prostate on the ground"?
I saw a performance on Jimmy Kimmel, downloaded a couple of tunes, and ended up buying all three CDs and an Inara George CD, too. Read more
Published on March 16, 2009 by Mad Dog
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, good music
I like! It's a unique sound, and very artistically put together. The vocals really are beautiful. The harmonies are edgy, and the instrumentals are exceptionally well done.
Published on August 24, 2008 by Priscilla Stilwell
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