Let it Rock: The Bird, the Bee, and the Boss

By Sues

Another week, another new pile of CDs to sift through. I don’t know what it is about 2009, but this week’s new releases were great. Again. It didn’t matter if the artist was new, old, or really old (sorry, Billy!), they all put together some great sound that everyone should pick up and take home.

The Bird and the Bee – Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

Where did this group come from? I have no idea, but I first heard them a couple weeks ago with their cover of The Bee Gee’s “How Deep is Your Love.” Wow. And then all the sudden I hear they’re coming out with a CD this week and of course I’m psyched. This duo reminds me of a combination of She and Him and a softer version of Stars. Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future is their sophomore album, which makes me excited to also check out their first album (which I hear is even better). I’m kind of obsessed with the track, “Love Letter to Japan” because it’s ridiculously fun and has some musically exotic overtones.” The lyrics to their songs are all relatively light-hearted, but super catchy. “Birthday” is especially true of this: “I will love you on your birthday. I will love you better than them.” And now I know love The Bird and the Bee.

Franz Ferdinand- Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

Ever since “Take Me Out” became a hit, Franz Ferdinand has been my sort of go-to music for when I need that extra kick of motivation. Tonight is very similar sounding to the group’s first two albums, but I also hear a touch of Weezer in there, especially in the track “Lucid Dreams.” (Note: not to be confused with Liquid Dreams.) I’m really loving “Dream Again,” because it sounds unlike anything I’ve heard from Franz Ferdinand before, and though I love their traditional sound, this shows that they can really go further than that. Yes, though it’s a bit cheesy, “No You Girls” had me dancing around my room and I can definitely see myself playing it as my getting ready music on a Friday night. But for “Take Me Out” fans, you’re totally going to love the single “Ulysses” as it’s exactly how you think Franz Ferdinand should sound.

Bruce Sprinsteen- Working on a Dream

OK, so I’ll admit I’m not the biggest Bruce Springsteen fan. Sure, I’ll sing along to “Dancing in the Dark” if it comes on in the bar and yes, fine, I kind of enjoy it, but the Boss has never been at the top of my playlist. That said, I’m pretty impressed with Working on a Dream, which truly proves this man has staying power. Um, not that he didn’t already prove that years ago. I was actually able to listen to “Tomorrow Never Knows” several times without constantly thinking “Born in the USA.” That means I liked it a lot. The title track, “Working on a Dream” is traditional Bruce but with enough of a new feel to it to make it exciting. The lyrics seem a little outdated though: “I’m working on a dream/Though sometimes it feels so far away/I’m working on a dream/I know it will be mine someday.” Bruce? I think your dream came true about 25 years ago.

[All images from Amazon.com]