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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2009

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS:
ALPINISM
(GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL) **½

School of Seven Bells teams ex-Secret Machines guitarist Ben Curtis with sisters Claudia and Alley Deheza, formerly of On!Air!Library!, to create a dream-pop recipe spiced with world beats, trance and goth.

Sometimes the trio's influences rise a little too close to the surface - the chorus of "Face to Face on High Places" could have been lifted straight off My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless."

But when things click, as on the epic "Sempiternal/Amaranth," the just plain charming "Half Asleep" or on the closing track and first single "My Cabal," the results are nothing short of heavenly. This is dream pop that gazes at the stars instead of the shoes.

Download this: "My Cabal"

Curtis Ross

PAT GREEN:
WHAT I'M FOR
(BNA) ***

Nashville is full of artists like Green who seem eternally to be openers for concert headliners, respected singers and songwriters who have knocked around with a modicum of success without being able to break through to big-time national recognition.

It's unclear whether this collection will be Green's launchpad or just another in his eight-album discography, but it's as solid a listen as the country genre produces these days.

The album's best feature is its accessibility. "Feeling Pretty Good Tonight" has an Eagles vibe. "Country Star" is Mellencamp worthy. "In It For The Money" sounds like it could have come from a Rascal Flatts album.

The one thing it lacks: an attitude. Listening to these songs is like waiting for a punch that never comes.

Download this: "Footsteps Of Our Fathers"

Jeff Houck

THE BIRD AND THE BEE:
RAY GUNS ARE NOT JUST THE FUTURE
(EMI) **½

The sound is sophisticated and urbane - although perhaps a few years late on the "retro lounge sound" thing, but that's just being all critic-catty - and the lyrics are slightly silly, but in a I'm-Being-Goofy way, not in a I'm-Actually-Dumb way.

There's a certain kind of retro cool, culturally aware woman who is going to love this disc. If you like the warm and soft sounds produced by the sort of 1960s pop that featured a lady with a nice voice (in this case, Inara George), you'll find this enjoyable if not great.

You can't really out-Julie London Julie London, but the effort is appreciated.

Download this: "What's In The Middle"

Kevin Walker

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