If Johnny Cash and Cat Power had an illegitimate love child, it would be named She Keeps Bees. And Janis Joplin would be their Godmother. Comprised of two members–Jessica Larrabee on guitar and vocals and Andy LaPlant on drums–and reigning from Brooklyn, She Keeps Bees is far too talented to be unsigned, and (I predict) will not remain that way much longer. The band’s second album, Nests, conjures certain reminiscencs of a early ’90s low-fi rock, much akin to one of their influences–Joan Armatrading, and reaches into your soul in the same vein as two of their other listed influences–Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. In an era when pop-tarts are prevalent and over-production appears to be key, She Keeps Bees shuns superfluous effects and by doing so create an intimate atmosphere of exchange that feels authentic, their music feels salt-of-the-earth real, and appeals to the country-heart of us city-folk. What we have here is an intimate relationship between a girl and her guitar, and we’re fortunate enough to be privy to its personalized language. The chords are simple but soulful, much like Mr. Cash, and the vocals are given to the listener unfettered by distortion and rife with a husky, blues infused tone delivered with strength and purpose. And the album art is nothing to scoff at, either; these beekeepers have it covered from all angles.
My recommendation is for you to buy this album immediately. Better yet, buy it when you attend their shows here in San Francisco: August 29th at Red Devil Lounge and August 30th at Edinburgh Castle.
If you want to hear more of their music, visit their site.
So, hopefully I see you at the show (I’m attending at the Castle) and if I don’t, may I suggest you light some unscented candles, settle in, and throw this CD in your stereo: don’t relegate it to a quick listen on your iPod while you’re waiting to catch the bus–respect this album, and it will respect you in return.
