Bird Streets – New York, NY – Indie Rock
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 BIRD STREETS. Something sparked. Wasn’t Bird Streets one of the 2018 Slingshot artists? The answer a resounding Yes.
I borrowed this gem 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 Bird Streets on the PCH in Cali with my arm doing the wave out the window. The illuminating duo Bird Streets 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 Bird Streets. 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 conscious being. Really putting the image of Donald and Walter out there was 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”.
Bird Streets has been working hard at promoting this album by showing up 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!