A gem of an album
It was the art design on the orange cover that spoke to me. Yes I did judge a book by the cover and glad I picked it out of a crowd of other New Cds at the library. The band was Birdstreets. Something sparked. Wasn’t Birdstreeets one of the 2018 Slingshot artists? The answer a resounding Yes. I borrowed this gen of an album and have had it on repeat. I call this music “road tripping music”. It’s the type of music I reach for when I hit the road even if it’s for a min day trip. I can imagine listening to Birdstreets on the PCH in Cali with my arm doing the wave out the window. The illuminating duo Birdstreets hails as the primary project between John Brodeur, master guitarist and songwriter, and the multi faceted, Jason Falkner who produced their debut project that is now BirdStreets. Bird Streets songs depict the human condition with irony and humility. sarcasm and humility. Their self titled debut earned them a slot in the group of NPR Slingshot artists, a quick Bird streets made quite a few of the top album lists this year. The duo creates much needed jangly power pop ala the 70s underrated duo, Big Star. “Betting on the Sun” ripples with sunshiney California vibes. The lyric “I remember when we were tighter than Steely Dan/ now the fix is in and you’re breaking up with your friends” popped out and smacked into my subliminal conscious. Putting the image of Donald and Walter hanging around a writing proved an instant grab. He goes on to sing “Betting on the sun to bail you out./ In the morning light you will be set free”. An answer to a burning blast of insecurity. Another standout song is “Direction”. A novella type track depicting a relationship barely hanging on due to miscommunication and questions not asked so the answer doesn’t have to be revealed. The video for this song is a blatant and welcome homage to the French film “Breathless”.
John's voice is riveting in "Carry Me. "Lets drink a toast my friends to new beginnings and bitter ends" Another song that clasps the hands of life changes morphining into new awakenings. The lyrics speak to you not over you. The crunchy, jangly sounds of Brodeur and Falkner's guitar prowess bends this song into a song worthy to be on repeat.
"Thanks for Calling" with its infectious hook and cisp clever lyrics is a subdued call out to a s dating scenario that didn't go in one's favor. He honestly admitted to "fancying" a lady who admitted she fancied someone. "Well the next time you hook with an old friend. Keep it a secret Thanks for calling but would ave been off better not knowing." The punchy guitar solos hang on a shimmery tone.
"Thanks for Calling" with its infectious hook and cisp clever lyrics is a subdued call out to a s dating scenario that didn't go in one's favor. He honestly admitted to "fancying" a lady who admitted she fancied someone. "Well the next time you hook with an old friend. Keep it a secret Thanks for calling but would ave been off better not knowing." The punchy guitar solos hang on a shimmery tone.
"You must be alive because you casd the check" starts out the slower moving "Stop to Breathe" He then goes on to say he saw the ring in a third street pawn shop window. Then later on that year she "strikes again". This song details he travals of a broken relationship, the games and dysfunction. The trajectory of a relationship that has run it's course with one if not both holding on loosely. Again the masterful ghitar playing by both on this track drives the melodies and ascending, bending riffs. Truly these guys are outstanding guitar players. John handles his axe like the late Alex Chilton who wound it up and let it go to little accolades. I am hoping John gets his due.
They are out there playing live in intimate venues. They shot to the top of many “Best of 2018” lists while getting copious play on many college run radio stations. Looking forward to more innovation, evocative lyrics and stellar guitar playing that makes up Bird Streets. Merci!
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