Bella is a female name. It is a diminutive form of names ending in -bella, such as Isabella and Annabella. Bella is related to the Italian and Latin words for beauty. It is also related to the name Belle, which means beauty in French.

Given name

People

Bella is a Canadian indie pop band from Vancouver, who formed in 2003, and have released two full-length albums. The band signed to Vancouver's Mint Records in 2006 and released the full-length "No One will Know" featuring guest musicians Roddy Bottum (Faith No More), Will Schwartz (Imperial Teen), John Collins (the New Pornographers) and Jason Martin (Starflyer 59).

Pretty Mess

Recorded in singer-guitarist-keyboardist Cameron Fraser's bedroom, their 2004 debut release was Pretty Mess, on the indie label Hideout. Tom Harrison of The Province compared the band's sound to 1980s bands Martha and the Muffins and Altered Images. Music from the band's debut album has been featured on CBC Radio 3 and on MuchMusic. The album was mixed by Colin Stewart (Hot Hot Heat, Black Mountain). Bella has performed with the likes of The Breeders, Pretty Girls Make Graves, The New Pornographers, Phoenix, Imperial Teen, Viva Voce, 54-40, and The Organ.

Mint Records and No One Will Know

Bella was signed to Mint Records, and the second album, No One Will Know—produced by Dave Carswell (Tegan and Sara) and featuring contributions from Roddy Bottum, Will Schwartz and Jason Martin—was released in 2007. It received mostly positive reviews from music critics. In a favourable review of the album, the Edmonton Journal likened the band's sound to that of Tegan and Sara.Exclaim! called it "futuristic indie pop at its most danceable."No One Will Know reached the top ten of multiple alternative and college album charts in Canada.

Bella is the fifth studio album by singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson, released through the record labels Decca and Verve Forecast in February 2011. Produced by David Kahne, the album features members of Thompson's touring band Ethan Eubanks on drums, Jeff Hill on bass and Daniel Mintseris on keyboards.

Songs

The album's opening track, "Looking for a Girl", has a twelve-bar blues structure and has been complimented for its "strong beat and catchy melodies".

Tour

During January and February 2011, Thompson toured throughout the United Kingdom.

Critical reception

Hannah Spencer's review for Contactmusic.com was positive, complimenting Thompson's "great vocal flexibility" and ability to put together a "solid and inoffensive collection of honest-lyriced tunes". On the review site Metacritic, as of 21 February 2011, the album had a score of 71 which indicates Generally Favorable reviews.Allmusic rated the album four out of five stars.

Track listing