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The Wooden Birds: Two Matchsticks Discography
The Wooden Birds, Andrew Kenny’s latest project, is a reflection of his move from Brooklyn, New York back to his hometown of Austin, Texas.
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I am just going to say it now, I like Barsuk Records. They were kind enough to send me some advances for a couple of their new releases. Let's take a look shall we?
THE WOODEN BIRDS
thewoodenbirds.com
The last time we saw Andrew Kenny's project, The Wooden Birds, Kateg said their album, Magnolia was "laid-back and tranquil". With Two Matchsticks, which is scheduled for a June 7th release date, I would say it's more or less true. The whole album seems more acoustic, lending itself to playing intimate coffee shop setting. However, I should point out that the intro song, "Folly Cub" and title track, "Two Matchsticks", tried to keep it upbeat.
I don't know if it's the case of the first album, but this second album songs are kept in a brief three-four minutes, very radio-friendly. Case in point, the song "Warm To The Blade", sounds like it could go on for a few more minutes, but instead, at the 2:30 mark, the song faded down. Most of the songs are sung by Andrew Kenny, but I thought Leslie Sisson's song, "Baby Jeans", was really good. Maybe it's because it just stood out like a sore thumb.
If you enjoy the mellowier side to Death Cab for Cutie, I think The Wooden Birds is right up your alley. If you don't believe, check out the melodic and lyrics of "secrets of your hearts" on "Secrets" or "she cheats and she steals and she kills, but you can't hate her" on "Struck By Lightning", they belong in a Ben Gibbard song, especially the music.
Two Matchsticks will be released on June 7th, 2011, on Barsuk Records. In the meantime, preview the title track "Two Matchsticks" at MTV Hive.
Bonus: Download the entire show of The Wooden Birds @ SXSW, The Hilton (3/19/11) at kut.org.
Like what you hear ? Then see them this Summer:
THE GLOBES
myspace.com/theglobes
The Globes' debut album, Future Self, just came out on Barsuk last month, April 26th (available on iTunes yesterday, May 10th, with a bonus track: "The Ocean Is Dreaming of You").
I don't know much about the band, but from the fantasy-esque cover artwork and title ("future"), for a band that's interested in Sci-Fi, a lot of themes on their album seems down-to-earth. Lots of animal references on this album: whether about being torn to shreds by bears ("Haunted By Bears"), feeling pigeon skins/your favorite dove ("Pigeon"), pretty birds ("Pretty Birds Above Our Heads", although I don't actually recall hearing them sing anything about birds), and black crows calling out names ("Ghost").
I have to point out that the production on this album is fantastic. Every guitar, bass, pounding, noise, is heard. The placement of each note is intentional (or at least I would like to think so), and it creates this music landscape. The world of Future Self is calming, that is until the final song, "Face Up Facing". The chaotic song feels like the world is being destroyed or going through a change.
Find out why Alternative Press called the Globes "Bands You Need To Know in 2011" and if you like atmospheric/moody music, you should check them out. Future Self is out now, on Barsuk Records.
PS, As serious as these guys take their music, they do have a sense of humor. Check out their April Fool's Soundbyte, which they claim "sounds better than vinyl". Incidentally, the vinyl comes with an MP3 download, the way it should be!
THE WOODEN BIRDS
thewoodenbirds.com
The last time we saw Andrew Kenny's project, The Wooden Birds, Kateg said their album, Magnolia was "laid-back and tranquil". With Two Matchsticks, which is scheduled for a June 7th release date, I would say it's more or less true. The whole album seems more acoustic, lending itself to playing intimate coffee shop setting. However, I should point out that the intro song, "Folly Cub" and title track, "Two Matchsticks", tried to keep it upbeat.
I don't know if it's the case of the first album, but this second album songs are kept in a brief three-four minutes, very radio-friendly. Case in point, the song "Warm To The Blade", sounds like it could go on for a few more minutes, but instead, at the 2:30 mark, the song faded down. Most of the songs are sung by Andrew Kenny, but I thought Leslie Sisson's song, "Baby Jeans", was really good. Maybe it's because it just stood out like a sore thumb.
If you enjoy the mellowier side to Death Cab for Cutie, I think The Wooden Birds is right up your alley. If you don't believe, check out the melodic and lyrics of "secrets of your hearts" on "Secrets" or "she cheats and she steals and she kills, but you can't hate her" on "Struck By Lightning", they belong in a Ben Gibbard song, especially the music.
Two Matchsticks will be released on June 7th, 2011, on Barsuk Records. In the meantime, preview the title track "Two Matchsticks" at MTV Hive.
Bonus: Download the entire show of The Wooden Birds @ SXSW, The Hilton (3/19/11) at kut.org.
Like what you hear ? Then see them this Summer:
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6/16 - Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room*
6/17 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (18+) 6/18 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar (21+) 6/19 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place* 6/23 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern (21+) 6/24 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir (21+) 6/25 - SF, CA @ Bottom of the Hill * 7/8 - Chicago, IL @ The Hideout (21+) 7/9 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewery (21+) |
7/10 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake*
7/11 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo * 7/12 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott (18+) 7/14 - New York, NY @ Mercury (21+, 8pm) 7/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rock Shop (21+) 7/16 - Washington, DC @ DC9* 7/17 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (21+) 7/20 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk* * all ages shows |
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Tour Dates
05/18/11 Sonic Boom, Seattle, WA
05/28/11 Sasquatch Music, George, WA 06/03/11 Troubadour*, Los Angeles, CA 06/04/11 Troubadour*, Los Angeles, CA 06/07/11 Casbah, San Diego, CA 06/11/11 Emos Austin, Austin 06/12/11 The Loft*, Dallas, TX * w/Archers of Loaf |
myspace.com/theglobes
The Globes' debut album, Future Self, just came out on Barsuk last month, April 26th (available on iTunes yesterday, May 10th, with a bonus track: "The Ocean Is Dreaming of You").
I don't know much about the band, but from the fantasy-esque cover artwork and title ("future"), for a band that's interested in Sci-Fi, a lot of themes on their album seems down-to-earth. Lots of animal references on this album: whether about being torn to shreds by bears ("Haunted By Bears"), feeling pigeon skins/your favorite dove ("Pigeon"), pretty birds ("Pretty Birds Above Our Heads", although I don't actually recall hearing them sing anything about birds), and black crows calling out names ("Ghost").
I have to point out that the production on this album is fantastic. Every guitar, bass, pounding, noise, is heard. The placement of each note is intentional (or at least I would like to think so), and it creates this music landscape. The world of Future Self is calming, that is until the final song, "Face Up Facing". The chaotic song feels like the world is being destroyed or going through a change.
Find out why Alternative Press called the Globes "Bands You Need To Know in 2011" and if you like atmospheric/moody music, you should check them out. Future Self is out now, on Barsuk Records.
PS, As serious as these guys take their music, they do have a sense of humor. Check out their April Fool's Soundbyte, which they claim "sounds better than vinyl". Incidentally, the vinyl comes with an MP3 download, the way it should be!
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