Post by rachel on Jan 28, 2009 23:09:05 GMT -5
The Bird and the Bee
“Ray Guns are Not Just the Future”
27 Jan 09
***1/2
“Ray Guns are Not Just the Future” is the second full-length album from Los Angelos duo Inara George and Greg Kurstin, a music producer
that has worked on albums from Beck to Britney Spears and currently has production and writing credits on the upcoming Lily Allen album. They teamed up a few years ago after Kurstin worked on a solo album of George’s and they went on to release a self-titled album in 2007 as well as several EPs. The hit single “f**king Boyfriend” earned them a Parental Advisory Warning on the debut that they are quite proud of, but this release does not come with the sticker and keeps to their standard PG fare.
After the opening “Fanfare”, the album gives us “My Love”, a song that comes complete with hand clapping and stomping sounds courtesy of the hardwood floors in the studio. With other artists, this effect could come across as a cheesy pop gimmick, but layered with the beautiful vocals of George they effortlessly work together to set up the tone of the album. Like their self-titled debut, they stay true to the unique sound that is simultaneously retro and futuristic.
The title track speaks of fear and worry about the future and longing for “a pretty little life” following the reports last fall that ray guns have gone from science fiction standby to reality (See The Economist article if
you are curious about the prototype being used in Iraq - www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12502799). At times eerie and ominious but with a chorus that’s all pop, this is definitely one of the best tracks of the album.
The first single release, “Love Letter to Japan” is catchy and much more dance pop than the rest of the album, but the end of the chorus gives us a slightly irritating “oh, oh, oh” exclaimation that does not seem to fit in.
The video tells the story of a Japanese teenage boy who wants to be good at Dance Dance Revolution. Not exactly video of the year material, but it showcases one of the things that make this band endearing — they don’t take themselves or the music too seriously.
Other tracks to take note of are “Baby”, which gives us stripped down vocals on the verses that truely showcase George’s talent, as well as “You’re A Cad” that has fabulous keyboard in it. The album also re-releases “Polite Dance Song”, previously found on the Please Clap Your Hands EP, and “Birthday” from the One Too Many Hearts EP.
While there are some serious themes found on the album, “Everything Is Ending” closes out the album and paints a story of surviving together in a post-apopcalyptic world, it plays as if it could be a soundtrack to dreams and perhaps faerie tales gone awry. George’s voice is as beautiful and ethereal as ever and Kurstin’s experience of a range of instruments and musical genres is evident.
See the video:
vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=48468475
Check out the official site
www.thebirdandthebee.com
“Ray Guns are Not Just the Future”
27 Jan 09
***1/2
“Ray Guns are Not Just the Future” is the second full-length album from Los Angelos duo Inara George and Greg Kurstin, a music producer
that has worked on albums from Beck to Britney Spears and currently has production and writing credits on the upcoming Lily Allen album. They teamed up a few years ago after Kurstin worked on a solo album of George’s and they went on to release a self-titled album in 2007 as well as several EPs. The hit single “f**king Boyfriend” earned them a Parental Advisory Warning on the debut that they are quite proud of, but this release does not come with the sticker and keeps to their standard PG fare.
After the opening “Fanfare”, the album gives us “My Love”, a song that comes complete with hand clapping and stomping sounds courtesy of the hardwood floors in the studio. With other artists, this effect could come across as a cheesy pop gimmick, but layered with the beautiful vocals of George they effortlessly work together to set up the tone of the album. Like their self-titled debut, they stay true to the unique sound that is simultaneously retro and futuristic.
The title track speaks of fear and worry about the future and longing for “a pretty little life” following the reports last fall that ray guns have gone from science fiction standby to reality (See The Economist article if
you are curious about the prototype being used in Iraq - www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12502799). At times eerie and ominious but with a chorus that’s all pop, this is definitely one of the best tracks of the album.
The first single release, “Love Letter to Japan” is catchy and much more dance pop than the rest of the album, but the end of the chorus gives us a slightly irritating “oh, oh, oh” exclaimation that does not seem to fit in.
The video tells the story of a Japanese teenage boy who wants to be good at Dance Dance Revolution. Not exactly video of the year material, but it showcases one of the things that make this band endearing — they don’t take themselves or the music too seriously.
Other tracks to take note of are “Baby”, which gives us stripped down vocals on the verses that truely showcase George’s talent, as well as “You’re A Cad” that has fabulous keyboard in it. The album also re-releases “Polite Dance Song”, previously found on the Please Clap Your Hands EP, and “Birthday” from the One Too Many Hearts EP.
While there are some serious themes found on the album, “Everything Is Ending” closes out the album and paints a story of surviving together in a post-apopcalyptic world, it plays as if it could be a soundtrack to dreams and perhaps faerie tales gone awry. George’s voice is as beautiful and ethereal as ever and Kurstin’s experience of a range of instruments and musical genres is evident.
See the video:
vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=48468475
Check out the official site
www.thebirdandthebee.com