String of Bees

Like the city from which they hail, Chicago's Lesser Birds of Paradise are deceivingly and achingly gorgeous. Formed in the winter of 1998 around singer-songwriter Mark Janka, the quartet occupies a unique space like none other in the musical cannon. The Lesser Birds employ a tender acoustic affection augmented by a sonic otherworldliness. Their songs are resplendent with intricate rhythms, a wistful, whimsical lyrical grace, and delicate textures that sneak up like a lost memory in musical form, lingering in one's senses like the exalted feeling of holding the hand of your first love. Their second full-length,"String of Bees," rounds out the delicacy of their distinct song-craft with an informed sense of their American musical ancestry, lush string accompaniments, subtle experiments with recording, and digital manipulation. Features a slew of superb guests including Mark Greenberg (the Coctails), Max Crawford (Poi Dog Pondering, The Sea And Cake), Darlene Poole (Melochrome), Heather Tobin (Motorbike), Joe Murphy (Dollar Love Plus, Orange Whip), and Norman Phipps. The Lesser Birds of Paradise have achieved a startling, singular maturity with "String of Bees": a record destined to resign itself to the most treasured parts of your musical memory.