Artist: Persephone’s Bees
Album: Notes From the Underworld
Label: Columbia Records
Tracks: 11
Length: 44:51

 

 

 

Looking for something a bit different? Persephone’s Bees may be right up your alley then. Led by the indie rock influenced voice of songwriter Angelina Moysov, these Californians may not be the easiest band to listen to but they are bound to catch the attention of all passers by.

 

Persephone’s Bees is one of those “hard to describe” bands that like to mix up styles and change a song three or four times during it’s four minute presentation. I guess a decent point of reference may be Cake (perhaps a bit quirkier) or later Monkees albums. The band seems to have a strong penchant for pop, seventies funk, and disco.

 

“Way to Your Heart” is a highlight here, hinting at a metallic edge right off the bat but quickly doing an about face into a vaudeville-esque piano duel with the heavy guitars. It’s like Black Sabbath in a train wreck with the Dresden Dolls. The funky “City of Love” is another highlight. “City of Love” is probably Angelina’s most convincing performance- on this song she reminds me a lot of the chick from the Cardigans.

 

Overall this is a decent album. It’s not something I could/would listen to all the time and I’m not sure I’d choose it over Cake or the Monkees BUT it is a nice break from the 9 to 5 bands. If you like off kilter pop and that’s mainly your thing then this very well could be a great new band in need of discovery.