When I first heard The Bird and the Bee’s self-titled debut album (CD? Disc? MP3 collection?), I thought it merely cute, spartan and maybe even a little forgettable. Then I saw perform live at the Crest Theater in Sacramento California. There in that darkened theater, my opinion of them did an about face.

Seeing them in person amplified the cuteness factor for me but also showed me that they have so much more to offer. They are far from spartan (my first listen was on small computer speakers), in fact, their music is quite the opposite. It is thick with guitar, multiple keyboards and the kind of metronomic drumming reminiscent of The Cure’s Lol Tolhurst; but what stands out as the most significant for me is the singing of Inara George. When she opens her mouth, even when she is singing “F-cking Boyfriend,” she sounds like an angel (Think of your favorite female singer from the heyday of 4AD, think Elizabeth Fraser or Miki Berenyi).

The Bird and the Bee are fun. Their jazz-inspired arrangements are well thought out and expertly written. The end result is an intoxicating mix that you may not appreciate right out of the box. Give it time, I think they’ll sneak their way into your most played list much the same way they’ll sneak their way into your heart.

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Posted by unbearable on Sunday, April 15th, 2007.