As a label, Blue Note has been changing its focus, drifting closer and closer to mainstream pop material -- not that there's anything wrong with this, but it is a bit of a shock that the name label in jazz since 1939 is looking for hits with Elisabeth Withers and a third Norah Jones offering. That said, the Metro Blue imprint of the label is as adventurous as ever, and the self-titled offering from the Bird and the Bee is about as eclectic as it gets. The Bird and the Bee are vocalist and songwriter Inara George (for music historians, she is the daughter of the late Little Feat singer, guitarist, and songwriter Lowell George) and multi-instrumentalist/producer Greg Kurstin. Inara George issued her solo debut, All Rise, to little notice in 2004, and Kurstin handled keyboard and drum machine chores on that one. The duo's debut album is a showcase for ten small, elegant, and strangely sophisticated pop songs that incorporate French pop (and Europop in general), some ropicalia and samba, and a postmodern form of space age bachelor -- and bachelorette -- music. Yet, the end product is more musical and complex than all of them. In its own way, this is as strange as anything by Jane Siberry or Brigitte Fontaine, as quirky as Jill Sobule or Jane Birkin (during her latter Serge Gainsbourg period), and much drier than (while remaining as confessional as) Sam Phillips during her Martinis & Bikinis phase. All of that said, mood music or a backdrop hanging sound isn't the point or the end result. Inara George is more than simply hip -- she's savvy, poetic, and quick-witted: "A pretty idiot is kissing/Everyone she doesn't know/And the pigs are eating popcorn/Selling tickets to the show." The shimmering pop samba in "My Fair Lady" could have been in Breakfast at Tiffany's if the film had been made in 2007 and starred Dorothy Parker in the lead role: "I need someone to show a little kindness/If he can turn his head, a little blindness/I know I might seem a little aimless/And I can also be a little shameless." Kurstin wraps these irony-filled lyrics in layers of skeletal keyboards and beats. The music shimmers, shakes, slightly jerks, and shimmies. This is the place where smart little drinks and hidden emotions find their adjoining playgrounds. And ultimately, this music is playground pastiche, but that's far from a criticism. The sheer instinct and musical dexterity at work here make the album irresistible -- and in particular "I Hate Camera," with its rounded and warm skittering loops and faux harpsichord keys keeping pace with jangling keyboard sounds and sputtering vocal effects. This is a record that gives up its secrets slowly, while being charming and delightful at every turn.
I'm happy to see the Bird and the Bee come out, but other than that, I am left a little dry this week. Hopefully next week is a little better.Bruce Springsteen - Working on a DreamFranz Ferdinand - Tonight:Franz FerdinandRenee Olstead - SkylarkSteve Martin - The Crow: New Songs for the Five String BanjoJohn Frusciante - The EmpyreanMark Olson - Ready for the FloodKylie Mingoue - BoomboxDuncan S...
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10 retro-futuristic art pop sound confections from California The Bird and The Bee are Greg Kurstin (the bee) and Inara George (the bird). I just picked up their debut album this weekend, and I just can't get their highly addictive brand of electro-pop out of my head."Greg and Inara met a few years ago. Discovered a common love of jazz standards...nerded out for a couple of hours playing every ...
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Although I would have probably come upon them sooner or later, a posting by trusted MOGger Blair a.k.a. SatisfiedMind614 introduced me to the multi-faceted cool of The Bird and The Bee – a Los Angeles-based duo comprised of singer Inara George and producer-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin. (And hearty thanks unto you, Blair.)I glommed onto their eponymous debut album, which was released in late Jan.
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I don't know what year it is when I hear this, or see this video, but I don't care because the song is so stuck in my head! And I don't know what's real anymore when I see it in Second Life:
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Just trying to help. This song is girly and bouncy. Pigtails and polkadots encouraged.
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Although I would have probably come upon them sooner or later, a posting by trusted MOGger Blair a.k.a. SatisfiedMind614 introduced me to the multi-faceted cool of The Bird and The Bee – a Los Angeles-based duo comprised of singer Inara George and producer-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin. (And hearty thanks unto you, Blair.)I glommed onto their eponymous debut album, which was released in late Jan.
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Just picked this up last night...been loving it so far. A pop duo off of the Bluenote label...very cool, very mellow...good background type of music. Been listening all morning and liking it more and more with ever spin...
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Its a shame, its a shame, its a perfect shame.Creep under my door, and we do it again, oh.Its so easy and easy and easy and easyAnd creepy and creepy and creepy, ohAgain, again, again, again.Say my name, say my name, say my stupid name?Its stupid how we always seem to do it again, oh.Youre so stupid and perfect and stupid and perfect.I hate you, I want you, I hate you, I hate you, oh.Again, aga...
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Here you go twin. Warning to sensitive ears: there's some f**g cussing going on in this song. "nuff said. Enjoy.
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It's time for me to out my obsession with The Bird and The Bee. Yes, I'm in love with a pop band. I don't even know how it happened, but somehow this record just gets stuck in your brainpan on play and will not quit. I won't even attempt a review of the debut record on Blue Note because Mike did a much better job. I will quote his masterpiece summary though: "60s French yé-yé girl vocalizing me.
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I'm happy to see the Bird and the Bee come out, but other than that, I am left a little dry this week. Hopefully next week is a little better.Bruce Springsteen - Working on a DreamFranz Ferdinand - Tonight:Franz FerdinandRenee Olstead - SkylarkSteve Martin - The Crow: New Songs for the Five String BanjoJohn Frusciante - The EmpyreanMark Olson - Ready for the FloodKylie Mingoue - BoomboxDuncan S...
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I don't know what year it is when I hear this, or see this video, but I don't care because the song is so stuck in my head! And I don't know what's real anymore when I see it in Second Life:
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Here's an innovative video set to the Bird and the Bee's "Again and Again".Good for Inara.Enjoy.
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The Bird and The Bee: F*cking Boyfriend of of their self-titled release.
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A must for any Peaches fan...DOWNLOAD: The Bird And The Bee 'Fucking Boyfriend (Peaches Remix)
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10 retro-futuristic art pop sound confections from California The Bird and The Bee are Greg Kurstin (the bee) and Inara George (the bird). I just picked up their debut album this weekend, and I just can't get their highly addictive brand of electro-pop out of my head."Greg and Inara met a few years ago. Discovered a common love of jazz standards...nerded out for a couple of hours playing every ...
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haha, thats the title of the song by the bird and the bee. they are a sweet indie/pop band out of los angelos... pretty sweet, not too well known. everyone should atleast have this song in there collection. Its called Fucking Boyfriend, by the bird and the bee, on their self titled album, and here it is...peace.Matt
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Again & Again |
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| 2 Birds and the Bees |
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| 3 F*cking Boyfriend |
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| 4 I'm a Broken Heart |
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| 5 La La La |
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| 6 My Fair Lady |
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| 7 I Hate Camera |
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| 8 Because |
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| 9 Preparedness |
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| 10 Spark |
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Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "The Bird and the Bee")
