Birdwatchers of America
"There Have Been Sightings" CD
self-released
Genre: power-pop, country rock
Boston / Nashville, USA
May 8, 2009 |
Previous to delving
into this record, I scoured my piles of promos looking for a
quick power-pop fix. Being one of the few who truly can judge a book
by its cover, I pulled out There Have Been Sightings on a whim
and was pleased to find my suspicions confirmed. Quick pop hooks and
focused compositions -- what more is there in life?
Named for what the band considered the
least hip pastime imaginable,
Birdwatchers of America perform country-inflected power-pop that
is elegant, expertly-produced, and well-written -- if a little
underwhelming. This joyful record begins with "Rain Down the Chimes," a triumphant call
to arms replete with anthemic chorus and momentous guitar strokes. Not
bad. But it is deeper into the album when our spry Birdwatchers
truly find their footing. Downtrodden campfire hymn "The Boy Emperor
and G.I. Joe" gleams with shades of Counting Crows, while "Call
From Virginia" is a resounding (if overdrawn) pop romp, and of "Ashes
of the Sun" is delightfully infectious. There are rookie mistakes on
this album -- most remarkably, the songs' tendency to go on for too
long -- but there's no denying this is a delicious, polished power-pop
treat. Colour me impressed.
birdwatchers of america's myspace
80%
youuuuuuuutube!:
"save the berlin wall committee" live
Michael Tau
[Vitals: 7 tracks + 6
clips, distributed by
CD Baby,
released 2008] |