Girl-fueled bands

Let’s face it, in the world of pop/rock, beyond the female solo acts that proliferate like pollen on a summer day, there’s a frisson of excitement created whenever we see a band that takes its music seriously, and is fronted by a girl! Current acts like Paramore, Metric, La Roux spring to mind; and that’s just part of a heritage that leads us back to Heart, the Corrs and Fleetwood Mac. Here are two girl-fueled bands that are staking their claims via their new CDs.

KissJane — Free (Sony BMG). This came as a big surprise — self-penned compositions that are savvy to the max, with more than six potential radio-friendly hits. I’ve seen the video of Kahit Na, and along with Langit, they’re my faster-paced favorites. Four of the 12 compositions are in English, and Mistakes is very reminiscent of some mid-tempo Natalie Merchant tune. Bituin is like VST & Co. updated for today, very Manila sound, and it’s another example of the excellent ear the band members possess when composing. In fact, in this age when so many CDs that are released both here and aboard are basically carried by one or two songs, it’s refreshing to discover this album that’s so consistent, definitely a band to watch and worth the listen! Yes, commercial — but in a good way!

The Bird & the Bee — Interpreting the Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (Blue Note). Inara George and Greg Kurstin make up The B &the B — she handles the vocals, and he takes care of the arrangements (Greg also produced the last Lily Allen album). The band is known for its retro-cool, synth-pop music — think James Bond/Austin Powers, if they were musicians. On this CD, they give the hit songs of Hall & Oates their textured Karaoke treatment; and while on the cute and kitsch side, it really works. It’s a reworking of those blue-eyed Philly soul hits for a cocktail lounge; and done in sheer fun, it’s a treat to hear Rich Girl, Private Eyes, Maneater, et al. Wish they covered my favorite H&O, Las Vegas Turnaround from Abandoned Lucheonette.