As the days get a little longer, Californian newcomers the bird and the bee’s debut album is the perfect soundtrack to the dawn of spring, says Elspeth Waters
Billed as “sunshine-drenched” and “semi-psychedelic”, the debut self-titled album by Californian duo Inara George and Greg Kurstin, alias the bird and the bee, is a delightful trip indeed. The pair, whose backgrounds are firmly rooted in quality music – her dad is 70s rock band Little Feat frontman Lowell George, he’s a multi-instrumentalist who’s collaborated with numerous artists from The Flaming Lips to Lily Allen – bonded over a mutual love of jazz standards.
Running out of originals to go through one day, they decided to enlarge their repertoire by putting their own jazz-induced stamp on conventional pop. The result: breezy melodic verses juxtaposed with edgier choruses, driven by agitated instrumentals – featuring tambourines, hand-clapping and a signature “bumblebee” base line.
The debut single, F-cking Boyfriend, opens with an intriguing drone, before bursting into an up-tempo, dance-like ditty, propelled forward by Inara’s cutting vocals. However, while the contrasting style approach is reflected across the album, the rest of the songs are considerably less abrasive and, as such, far more beguiling… especially with lyrics such as “when it’s done it’s like I’ve killed someone” in the eighth track, because, sung with a gloriously airy indifference.
Listening to the bird and the bee is like surrendering to a perfect dream, complete with fairground frolicking and summers tumbling through daisies. Distinct highlights on the album include the impassioned pleading of I’m a Broken Heart, with its brass-band opulence, and the enchanting vocals and unique mix of xylophones and drum beats in the nineth track, preparedness. However, it is the haunting quality of the ultimate number, spark, which resonates most strongly, evoking painful recollections of lost love and youthful disappointment. As the pace winds down, the sense of longing gains momentum until the journey comes to a bittersweet end.
With the bird and the bee, Inara and George have combined their particular talents – for heartfelt story telling and instrumental virtuosity – to wondrous effect. It may have taken the couple a while to take centre stage, but if this debut album is a taste of what’s to come, here’s hoping they’ll be here to stay.
Just in time to herald the start of spring, the bird and the bee is a carousel you’ll want to hop on again and again. Whack it on your iPod and let the waltz-like ditties wash over you as you skip through the sun-filled streets.
the bird and the bee’s debut single F-cking Boyfriend is out on March 19 and the self-titled album is out on March 26. For more information and a taste of the album check out www.myspace.com/thebirdandthebee
