Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future
The Bird and the Bee
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| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fanfare | The Bird and the Bee | 0:28 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | My Love | The Bird and the Bee | 3:45 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Diamond Dave | The Bird and the Bee | 3:14 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | What's In the Middle | The Bird and the Bee | 3:21 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Ray Gun | The Bird and the Bee | 4:41 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 6 | Love Letter to Japan | The Bird and the Bee | 4:07 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 7 | Meteor | The Bird and the Bee | 3:21 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 8 | Baby | The Bird and the Bee | 3:49 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 9 | Phil | The Bird and the Bee | 0:09 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 10 | Polite Dance Song | The Bird and the Bee | 3:46 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 11 | You're a Cad | The Bird and the Bee | 3:09 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 12 | Witch | The Bird and the Bee | 3:54 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 13 | Birthday | The Bird and the Bee | 3:47 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 14 | Lifespan of a Fly | The Bird and the Bee | 3:14 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 15 | Everything Is Ending | The Bird and the Bee | 3:22 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
| Total: 15 Songs |
iTunes Review
On their sophomore album, Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future, The Bird and the Bee meld together their favorite segments of pop music’s past, including Brazilian Tropicália, breathy ‘60s jazz, and the choral pop of the Beach Boys. These influences are strung together with subtle but intricate electronic decoration, courtesy of Greg Kurstin. His foil is singer Inara George, whose cooing is clear and clean, but never without presence or wisdom. “My Love” has all the swelling, bittersweet optimism of a Phil Spector single, while the feathery, cascading harmonies of “Baby” translate the flutter of newfound love. At times the formula for Ray Guns resembles Stereolab in its prime, although The Bird and the Bee’s brand of retro-modernism is more miniskirt and martini lounge than outer-space and avant-garde. This material is exceptionally breezy and lovely, which makes it easy to miss the craftsmanship within every song — The Bird and the Bee are nothing if not students of Bacharach-David. Not to be missed is the lilting music box melody of “Ray Gun,” the infectious swing of “Diamond Dave” (a love letter to Van Halen’s flamboyant frontman), and the wistful disco shuffle of “Meteor.”
Recent Customer Reviews
A milestone in music
by tbcqThis is TRULY one of the greatest albums I have ever discovered. The Bird and the Bee is so addictive and so brilliantly different from any other group I have ever heard, and it satisfies any music-lover's taste. Just look at the rating! Nearly all are 5-star ratings. Here is my synopsis:
1. Fanfare- Not much to say here, but a fun track in leading into "My Love" 8/10
2. My Love- A great song, very catchy use of percussion, and a wonderful track overall, one of my favorites on the album. 9/10
3. Diamond Dave-Not sure why this song hasn't gotten more attention; it's AMAZING! Great usage of bells, general instruments, and just a fantastic song! Not something that will easily become mundane. SUCH a standout track! 10/10
4. What's in the Middle-A good song, but I prefer the bridge over the actual chorus. Not my absolute favorite, but I definitely do enjoy it. 7.5/10
5. Ray Gun-An excellent song with great lyrics, and very, very easy to listen to. Good use of instruments, as every song shows! 9/10
6. Love Letter to Japan- I can understand why many people would love this song, but it's not personally one of my favorites. Sounds a bit to pop-ish, dissimilar to the whole of Inara's work. 6/10
7. Meteor- A wistful and dreamy work of excellence! I wholly recommend, and this track certainly does justice to the innovation of lyrics on the album 10/10
8. Baby- A romantic and very nice song, though it does get a bit old after listening to it over and over. Still, don't get me wrong, it definitely has merit! 8.5/10
9. Phil-Just a 9 second drumline
10. Polite Dance Song-A fair track, though not one which really sticks in my mind and plays over and over. The catchiness is somewhat there, however, and I wouldn't say that the track isn't interesting. 8/10
11. You're a Cad-Inara's voice sounds really great in this song, but doesn't it in every song!? It's a fantastic song, although not really addressing many deep issues. Nonetheless, it's very catchy. 9/10
12. Witch-A somewhat dark track in the light of the others, but it's dark in a good way. However, it doesn't REALLY do it for me, but it may for others. 7/10
13. Birthday-A track that may seem a bit boring at first, but surprisingly I found myself hearing it in my head all day! Good use of instruments! 8.5/10
14. Lifespan of a Fly-Not a song which is as somber as "spark"(their first album), and not one which is unbelievably catchy, but it does have some good lyrics and innovative sounds. 7/10
15. Everything is Ending-Definitely one of my absolute favorites, if not my favorite track on the album. I didn't even listen to it until I listened to all the others! Incredibly catchy, amazing sound, and truly innovative. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!!! 11/10
Overall score: 10/10!! Innovative and fresh! Catchy and amazing!!! DON'T MISS OUT!!!
New Sound, Something Different
by NoiseAndKissesIt's always hard for me to find a band with a female singer that I enjoy. That said, The Bird and The Bee delivers. If you're looking for something different, not mainstream, something that you can listen to over and over and not get sick of, check them out.
With every release they just keep getting better and better!
by Dan FecteauI love the bird and the bee! Every song on this record has its own appeal, and its just a great record. 8 of the songs on this CD are on my top 25 most played!!! Thats how good it is :)
Biography
Formed: 2004 in Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Pop
Years Active: '00s
Top Albums and Songs by The Bird and the Bee
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explicit Again & Again | The Bird and the Bee | 2:45 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | Carol of the Bells | Carol of the Bells - Single | 2:04 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | How Deep Is Your Love | Please Clap Your Hands - EP | 3:24 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Explicit F-cking Boyfriend | The Bird and the Bee | 3:15 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Love Letter to Japan | Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future | 4:07 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Alternative, Music, Pop, Pop/Rock, Rock, Adult Alternative
- Released: Jan 27, 2009
- ℗ (C) 2008 The Blue Note Label Group. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Blue Note Records, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.

