The Bird and The Bee Soar Again
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In addition to my relief at the coming of a new year, I also have the thrill of anticipating new music by a recent favorite. Which is my way of saying:
Woo-hoo! The second full-length album by Los Angeles art-pop duo The Bird and The Bee - singer Inara George and multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin - is almost here!
I'll have to wait until the end of January for the official release of The Bird and The Bee's Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future, but (thanks to one of the contributors to the MOG Music Network) I learned that Inara and Greg put a couple of tracks from the upcoming album onto their MySpace page, along with a new Christmas recording - a cover of "The 12 Days of Christmas." And I immediately fell for the dreamy, dulcet Orientalism of "Love Letter to Japan," which is also enhanced by a rather entertaining video.
Bird and Bee (and Dog?)
Speaking of love, one of my main musical crushes in recent times is airy-voiced enchantress Inara, who has a remarkable pedigree. She's the daughter of the late singer-songwriter-guitarist Lowell George of Little Feat fame. In the 1970s, Inara's daddy and his band produced a wild, wonderful and confounding mix of rock, folk and country roots, jazzy improvisations, and pungently witty lyrics. Inara, as a vocalist and co-songwriter for The Bird and The Bee, is wry, sophisticated and post-modern while flirting with retro-psychedelic style and shadings. So maybe her background isn't so surprising, considering her eclectic nature.
Taking a break from TBATB last year, she teamed with composer-arranger-lyricist Van Dyke Parks (best-known for his songwriting collaborations with the Beach Boys' unhinged genius Brian Wilson, but also an old buddy of Lowell George) to record a lushly-orchestrated song cycle An Invitation. As much as I was caught up by An Invitation and have no problem recommending it for its grandiose soundscapes, theatrical verve, and clever wordplay, there's something about Inara's chemistry with Greg - and the resulting music - that is ever so much more magical.
So I await Ray Guns with barely restrained enthusiasm. In the meantime, I'm whetting my appetite with "Love Letter to Japan," which is available for streaming on the MOG Player above - and visible in video form below.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (28)
This is great, thanks. Missed them in DC recently but hope to catch them on their next trip here.
funoka: Their first album still sounds incredible to me a zillion listens later. And I can't believe circumstances have conspired against me for the past two years, and I've not seen them in concert as yet. That must be rectified soon.
Oh, yes!! Very cool. Listen to this? As LG sang, "I'm Willin'". And another blast from the past, Van Dyke Parks, whose debut "Song Cycle" was one of my most often played records for years. That one was so far ahead of its time and so critically acclaimed that Warner Bros advertised a program in which you sent them your worn out copy and a penny and they sent you back two fresh copies for yourself and to give to a friend. "He's not your run of the mill garden variety Alabama country faire."
Hi Mike, How goes the recuperation? One is tempted to play spot the influences in this track but they're molded into a nice identity.
Spike 1: Yessir. Parks was a true original - a veritable iconoclast - in the rock scene of the late '60s, and he still brings it. And, if you like Parks, you should enjoy TBATB.
dmdm: I'm hangin' in there, man. Thanks for asking. So many elements at play (and I do mean play) in what Inara and Greg do that their sound takes on an idiosyncratic character all its own. And, as the Froggies say, si charmant!
Charmant pretty much sums it up....
Oh man, that song reminds me so much of another song(s) but I just can't place it(this is going to bug me)! I unfortunately missed them at Coachella due to their playing at the beginning of the day & us laid back group of Moggers not arriving soon enough. Thank goddess for Youtube I got to see a couple of their songs they performed there.
Sho you right!!! Thanks Mike great news ... Great post! Uncle Van Dyke ... Lowell for a daddy ... Can it be a suprise Inara has such soul? Thanks again
fun happy music on a monday, just what the doctor ordered!
Ok, I'm just listening to the track alone & it's really reminding me of Bananarama, believe it or not. Also Crystal Castles w/the vid game sample noises.
ivylander: Terse, and quite right!
August: Like I said earlier in the thread, I have failed to see them in person, despite being Mr. Out All Night Every Night. so you ain't the only one who's missed out. We'll get our chance. Meanwhile...Bananarama? Crystal Castles? Really?
tipiboy: Nurture or nature, she has it!
Rawkkiddoh: I'd agree. It's a prescription for feeling good.
Yup, listen & weep. . . .
August: Haven't you heard? There's no crying in MOGball. Texture-wise, TBATB's track might be reminiscent of the earlier numbers, but only certain aspects - a tempo here, some synth tones there. The melodies, arrangements and lyrics set the three things apart. And, like deadmandeadman sez, TBATB have so many other influences in the mix. I just know I likes what they does, All that said, yeah. I hear what you're suggesting.
Exactly. It's certain aspects & is reminiscent, not sounding like a dead ringer copy of those other songs, but rather a lovely confluence of influences. The two I chose just sprang easily to mind. I wonder what TBATB were listening to previous to writing this album? That would be interesting to know. And yes, '. . . I likes what they does' too.
August: I kinda wish that one of the interview-generating MOGgers would catch up with these two and actually get into stuff like that. I suppose I can Google around and find out, but it would be nice to have an exclusive MOG chat with Inara and Greg on this very site.
That would be cool & interesting, why don't you suggest it to the mogfather? Btw, they are playing at The Independant in SF 2/9/09:
http://www.theindependentsf.com/february2009.htm
Not sure if I will go since it's on a work night but I'm considering it.
Yeah, I noticed the gig, A. But I don't know where I'll be or how ambulatory I'll be when it happens. We shall see.
They should come and play for you on your sick bed,Mike..I'm spinning through the record for the second time, and since I didn't hear the first in total, its all new to me. Chamber electro-pop? Whatever you call it, I can dig. Very intimate.
C.B.: Talk about intimate. They really ought to drop by and do a few songs for me. That would (almost) make up for the disadvantages of my convalescence. Glad to hear that they are striking a chord with you. Aural nectar of the music gods!
I have been lucky enough to see The Bird and The Bee perform twice, once for a headlining show at the El Rey here in Los Angeles and not too far after as they opened for Rilo Kiley (what a show!). Seeing them live was incredible. Both shows were great, but their headlining show was definitely the best of the two. I also got to see (and meet!) Inara in different element as she performed with Bryony Atkinson as Merrick and with Van Dyke Parks (can't believe I met this legend). Her voice is just as amazing and crystal clear live as it is on the records. I highly highly recommend that any fans of TBATB go check out a show!
Pipa: I'm there as soon as logistics allow! Thanks for the glowing report from the field!
Exciting! I might have to break the bank to buy this one because they make me happy. Also, I didn't know she had a parent in Little Feat...hillarious. Haha.
Golly boy....I love their last album so much....and have been a bit disappointed by this one....it is just missing something for me.
I will give it another try tomorrow....it's the least I could do.
sashasaur: Delighted to make your acquaintence in the service of good music. Don't break the bank. Just wave a hammer around and threaten the piggy until it gives up what's yours - although that's no little feat.
annieander: I've only heard two songs and been well satisfied, but, apparently, someone has an advance copy of the whole deal. I hope they trust the artists enough to know that it sometimes takes more than one or two listens to "get" a recording. Let us know what you think.
happy new year mike. i know we've talked about hooking up in LA. maybe when that happens i'll see if Inara wants to hang. you're a true fan of a great artist!
of course, we can also talk about Greg's history. met him through Geggy Tah years ago and he's brilliant. it was quite exciting when these two teamed up. Inara works with a bunch of "L-AList" folks. between Mike Andrews, Greg and Van Dyke, she can really explore where she wants to go properly and we get the end results! a win-win situation.
hope your leg's getting better. i've got a torn ACL now, so i can relate.
oh, goody! i caught Inara lending vocals to Ben Folds doing Bond themes (on Jimmy Kimmel). adorable as ever. i am waiting for the album, too.
Did I tip my hand here? I didn't know it hadn't been released yet. Yes, I have heard the whole album (mos def more then once), and sadly it didn't grab me...still, sticking to my promise and listening to it now.
Robin: A mighty fine 2009 to you, too. (One that features full recovery from our respective injuries.) I'm planning to be in L.A. a lot this year - even if I'm on crutches for the early part of the stint (coming up shortly), so we should definitely plan on a get-together or two. If a certain chanteuse (with or without her talented musical partner) happens to join us, you'd get no complaint from me.
poe: Now I've gotta go to YouTube and dig up a clip from Jimmy Kimmel's show. Ben, Bond, Inara...the mind boggles!
annie: You're a real trouper, kid! Don't ask me how I know, but I think that "My Love" from the new collection is right up with some of the best stuff on the first album. I adore "Love Letter to Japan" - and I already liked "Polite Dance Song" and "Birthday" from previous EP releases. If this is a sophomore slump, I'll take it!