March 27, 2006 | Posted by mark at 12:41 AM

But I'm Everything

birdmonster No Midnight Birdmonster - Balcony.

Please bear with me. I have a fever of 102 degrees, so this might not come out right. But I've already been sitting on this new Birdmonster record for about four days, and that's been too long. I had to share it with you.

See, Birdmonster are story tellers. Just listen. I've heard this song live at least three or four times, but it wasn't until I heard it on record that I finally understood it. No simple boy-meets-girl love story, it's a story of betrayal, murder and revenge -- fitting alongside other narratives from Bruce Springsteen and Crooked Fingers. I love this sort of thing. And when the chorus hits it's just fantastic.

It's nearly impossible to capture the intensity of the birdmonster live show in album format. If you've seen them, you know that they play like their lives depend on it, sweating out every chord and shedding every ounce of blood necessary to get the job done. It's a work ethic rarely scene in the modern rock world, one so full of lazy rockstar wannabes. Birdmonster don't want to be anything -- they already are. They absolutely tore the Fader Tent a new one at SXSW. It was probably the best show of theirs I've seen.

So they've recorded this album -- No Midnight -- and it rocks. It rocks in the way that classic rock albums do. It's a purely american rock statement, and I'm really happy with it. I mean, yes I'm friends with these guys but I can still be objective, and I'm under no obligation to post this. I post it cuz I love it. Just listen to Justin's melodica line during the breakdown. Listen to the changes, and the quiet banjo pluck in the background. I'm a huge fan.

The album will be self released on April 11th. You can preorder the record directly from the band for cheap at their site. I highly recommend it. They're also playing a boatload of shows in the Northwest all through April, and I'm sure they'll be on the east coast soon enough. I'll keep you posted.

Comments

love from the black black black to birdmonster

Posted by: the black black black at March 27, 2006 11:49 AM

I try to explain these guy's sound to people all the time and yeah, the only way to really describe it is straight forward rock n' roll. There's a bit of twang, a whiff of indie rock, some 80's guitars on some songs but mostly just rock n' roll. No irony, no bullshit--what a beautiful thing.

Posted by: charles the fish at March 27, 2006 12:28 PM

I tried to explain to the guys what their music sounded like and I just couldnt do it! It is just straight up rock n roll. I used a totally token answer to describe the undescribable (i.e. using modest mouse as a reference). Hehehe there was a scuffle after that.

I couldnt be prouder right now! the record is soo sooo sooo sooooooooo goooooood

Posted by: jax at March 27, 2006 02:32 PM


Best Rock N Roll in the bay area. Challenging music that conjures the endearing passion of early Springsteen coupled with an honestness unheard in contemporary bands. They're not in to be cool, but to rock. More bands like Birdmonster would be welcome to anyone who cares about music.

Posted by: johnny_walker at March 31, 2006 12:11 PM

Mark-

I just saw them at Knitting Factory and they put on an unbelievable live show. There is only one phrase to describe it: It Rocked (as also mentioned above). I bought the album after the show and was listening to it in my car, at my apartment, and on my ipod. I really cant get enough of it. All but 2 of their tracks are amazing - none of my stereos/ipods plays loud enough!!!

Regarding some things that you mentioned about their live performances - they really did look like they were playing their hearts out - and they were smiling the whole time. Everyone had a truly great time. I found some great pics from the show here: http://www-us.flickr.com/photos/underratedblog/tags/birdmonster/ (i think it also has some other Birdmonster shows).

I am most definitely going to get tickets for their next show here in NY.....

Posted by: Josh at July 5, 2006 01:43 PM
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