By Scott Jeffrey
Bowerbirds are back with a new album The Clearing. You may remember Bowerbirds from their outstanding performance on Vincent Moon’s Lablogotheque. The new album is a bit different from the older percussion driven sound of their past hit, In Our Talons.
There are bits and pieces of this sound still existing in songs like This Year, but it’s almost muted back and taken over by a sad guitar. The build in this song is amazing, starting off a romantic classic it nearly reaches the same arena rock sound of an Arcade Fire Jam.
Every song seems to unravel like a riddle, usually starting off small and turning in a different direction than you thought it would. A song that starts particularly sad, somehow leaves you with a smile.
Tuck the Darkness in has got some great instrumental bridges, with a rolling piano and ghostly strings. This is another song that builds into an amazing reprise.
Hush seems to break free of a musical forms, taking almost a Caribbean beat in the end. This is a real experimental folk song. Beth Powers takes the lead on vocals and takes the verses to a sultry jazzy level. It’s an interesting piece worth a listen.
Overcome With Light is the classic Bowerbirds sound. Give Phillip Moore a guitar and a microphone and watch him amaze you. This is a slow nearly gospel track, no drums light strings and heavy on the emotion. I’d take it as my lullaby any time.
In Sweet Moment, the harmonization does get to be a little much, but if any indie film makers are planning on making a romantic montage, this understated love song would be the perfect soundtrack.
7.5/10
Take Away thought: This is a good album, there are certain hits and misses, a few tracks I couldn’t get into. This Year and Tuck the Darkness In are good places to start if you want to check it out.
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