Ever since I
first heard Black Birds of Paradise cover Washington Phillips’ song “I Had a
Good Father and Mother” on There is No One I wished they had more of a catalogue. Tonight marks the release of
their first full length release, a DIY self-titled LP pressed by the drummer
himself.
Since their only other track before
now was the upbeat summer-y song “I Love You (But I Don’t Know Why)” on
Gubbey’s Head Cleaner compilation, I was pleasantly surprised with the
needle-drop opener “Future Man,” which is reminiscent of a Sergio Leone score
with Scott Carney on Theremin. The heavy bass and steady ride imply a sinister,
mischievous presence.
One
of the things that sets Black Birds of Paradise aside from other young rock
bands right off the bat is Regan Layman, who plays vibraphone, percussion, and
sings backup. Throughout the whole album, her textures and frequencies add a
depth to the sound that plays a large part in shaping the tune around them.
“Exotica” is an instrumental track torn between Regan’s vibraphone solos and
Nick Layman’s synth styles. Despite the song’s major key and more positive
demeanor, there’s a tension between the two that is really special.
Right
in the middle of the record, the entire band backs out for a quieter, more
somber acoustic song titled “The Way, The Truth, The Light.” This only
accentuates the band’s diversity by providing contrast to the following louder
more aggressive “Pour a Drink.”
With
their first release, Black Birds of Paradise have proved that they are capable
of effortlessly playing a wide range of musical styles without compromising or
betraying their vision. Let’s hope their second album has the same charm. Come
out to the New Vintage tonight for the release party with Lady Pyramid and
Murals.
