the bird and the bee
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Alternative jazz-influenced indie pop
Status:
Most recent release, Recreational Love (2015)
See also:
the bird and the bee's sitethe bird and the bee's MySpace page
Wikipedia's entry for the bird and the bee
Inara George also records as a solo artist, collaborates with Rod Jones of Idlewild as George Is Jones, and is a member of The Living Sisters with Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark.
Greg Kurstin did three albums with Geggy Tah and one as The Kurstins (duo with sister Pamelia Kurstin)
Comparisons:
Astrud Gilberto, Julee Cruise
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional cover
General comments:
As a duo, Inara George (bird) and Greg Kurstin (bee) make eclectic indie pop music with electronic touches and elements of jazz and lounge that they've described as "psychedelic Burt Bacharach." (JoAnn Whetsell)
Comments about live performance:
The Bird and the Bee are from the musical Land of Retro and Twee, with loungey Bacharach, Italian disco and girl-group touches to their electronic pop. It's not a place I visit often, but their melodies are catchy and live show a lot of fun, so I was a happy tourist. They're on Blue Note, which isn't inappropriate.
Singer Inara George and the three backing musicians wore short nightdress outfits with plastic collars and shiny ribbons, one in yellow, one in green, one in blue and Inara in white and yellow. There were choreographed back-up dances and hand-claps for the two keyboardists which would have been too cutesy if it wasn't a bit shabbily done, amusing them as much as us. The 'bee', Greg Kurstin, was anonymous behind his deck of keyboards and computer. He has worked with Lily Allen and Sophie Ellis-Bextor and their own sound is similar.
Enjoyed songs like 'Again and again', 'Polite dance song' and pop charmer 'Love letter to Japan' (check out the cute video). Inara made lots of unnerving eye contact during 'F*cking boyfriend' ("would you be my f*cking boyfriend?"), and again during 'Birthday' ("I will love you..."), which was less unnerving. A soaring atmospheric slower number (dunno name) touched on early Goldfrapp territory and was lovely.
I would have been happier without the covers of Hall and Oates' "I can't go for that" and the Bee Gees' "How deep is your love?"—the arrangements fit well with the rest of the set but the annoying songs stuck in my head. The latter was in the Sex and the City movie apparently; wish bands could get noticed more for their own pop chops than covers or songs with swearwords in the title! (3/09, k_hester_k@yahoo.co.nz)
Recommended first album:
The Bird and the Bee
Recordings:
- Again and Again and Again and Again (ep, 2006)
- The Bird and the Bee (2007)
- Please Clap Your Hands (ep, 2007)
- One Too Many Hearts (digital ep, 2008)
- Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future (2009)
- Interpreting The Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (covers, 2010)
- Recreational Love (2015)
The Bird and the Bee
Release info:
2007—Metro Blue/Blue Note—0946 3 68251 2 0/bte 68251
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Inara George—vocals; fuzz bass (1)
Greg Kurstin—all instruments except as noted below
Guest artists:
David Ralicke—horns (4)
Produced by:
Greg Kurstin
Comments:
I wasn't crazy about Inara's solo debut, but this album is so eclectic and inspired and her voice is just drop dead gorgeous, reminiscent of Astrud Gilberto in my opinion. The album has the same retro-feel as Camera Obscura, but it's catchier and more playful and there are so many killer tracks you're being spoilt for choice. "Again & Again," "I'm a Broken Heart," "I Hate Camera," and "Fucking Boyfriend" are obvious highlights. Presently they all seem stuck in my head. (christina_skov@hotmail.com)I discovered the bird and the bee on NPR. My reaction is similar to christina_skov's. Never really got into Inara George's debut, but I LOVE this album. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Please Clap Your Hands
Release info:
2007—Metro Blue/Blue Note—509995 05959 2 1
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Inara George—vocals
Greg Kurstin—all instruments except as noted below
Guest artists:
Joey Waronker—drums (1)
Gus Seyffert—electric guitar (1)
Willow Geer, Megan Geer Alsop, Alex Lilly—background vocals (1)
Sia—background vocals (5)
Produced by:
Greg Kurstin
Comments:
This 20-minute EP is so catchy and fun, I keep playing it over and over and still don't know how to describe it. I don't think the Bee Gees cover is as strong as their original material (though it shows a different mood), but overall this EP is fantastic and another must-have for fans. (JoAnn Whetsell)
One Too Many Hearts
Release info:
2009—Blue Note Records
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Inara George
Greg Kurstin
Produced by:
Greg Kurstin
Comments:
This 4-track ep released on Valentine's Day showcases different versions of love and relationships, not just the sugary together-forever kind. Half the songs are in their laidback, lounge style, and half are musically upbeat, in keeping with their poppier side. I love it all. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future
Release info:
2009—Blue Note—50999 2 34556 2 7
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Inara George—vocals (all tracks)
Greg Kurstin—keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion, programming (all tracks); background vocals (3-5)
Guest artists:
Mike Andrews—guitar (4)
Gus Seyffert—guitar (10)
Joey Waronker—drums (1, 9, 10)
Megan Geer-Alsop—background vocals (10)
Willow Geer—background vocals (4, 6, 10, 14)
Alex Lilly—background vocals (4, 6, 10, 14)
Produced by:
Greg Kurstin
Comments:
Great fun, catchy pop. More electronic and more like their last two EPs (each supplies one song) than their debut. (JoAnn Whetsell)One of the best albums of the year. (gordodo@optonline.net, christina_skov@hotmail.com)
Interpreting The Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates
Release info:
2010—Blue Note Records—50999-6-26234-21
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Low
Group members:
Inara George—vocals
Greg Kurstin—bass, drums, programming, keys, guitar
Guest artists:
Shirley Manson—background vocals on "Maneater"
Produced by:
Greg Kurstin
Comments:
I really like the first song, the club/pop "Heard It On the Radio," which is, coincidentally or not, the only original song. Then there's the rest of the album, the 8 Hall and Oates covers. Sigh. I'm not a rabid Hall and Oates fan, upset by the mere idea of someone taking on my idol's work; I'm only familiar with half the songs here. I'm actually a big bird and the bee fan, loathe to criticize, willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, to listen to this album repeatedly in order to find its brilliance.
But find it I can't. The vocals are bored, the synths are downright weird at times. The songs are done up in a sort of club/pop/lounge style, but it seems more lazy than thoughtful. They don't really *interpret* the songs and make them their own. (See by contrast Rachael Sage's version of "Rich Girl," also from this year.) I hope that next time (assuming they continue this ‘Interpreting the Masters' series) they will. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Further info:
the bird and the bee's "Carol of the Bells" appears on the Starbucks Stockings by the Fire holiday compilation (2007) and is also available as a digital download at stores like iTunes and Amazon.com. "What Happened to It" appears on the Post Grad soundtrack (2009). "A Christmas Compromise" appears on the compilation Safety Harbor Kids Holiday Collection (2009). Their cover of Herman's Hermits' "I'm Into Something Good" appears on the Valentine's Day soundtrack (2010) and is also available as a digital single.
Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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