Belvedere Jehosophat - Sunday, July 3, 2005 - Print Version
The first thing that comes to mind when you listen to Bird Blobs is – well, actually the first thing that comes to mind is how the introduction to the first song sounds kinda like a slower version of the introduction to the Dead Kennedys’ “Religious Vomit.” So much so in fact that when I first heard it the first thing that popped into my mind was “All religions make me wanna throw up/All religions make me sick,” but, you know, slower.
But, anyhow, the first thing that comes to mind when you listen to Bird Blobs is how the vocals are so downright bizarre that the lyrics, for the most part, are unintelligible. In fact, I really can’t think of any other artist with whom one could compare the vocals.
You can still, however, get an idea of what band is singing about from the song titles: “Settle Down & Breed,” for example, is, I’m assuming, about settling down and, quite possibly, breeding. However, given the way the singer is screaming and shrieking and carrying on you get the impression that he doesn’t think that settling down and breeding is such a terribly great idea.
Of course, it matters little because by the time the handclaps kick in you’ll have fallen in love with the song and you’ll find that you really couldn’t give a good God fuck about what he decides to do with his life.
Suffice to say that the world that the Bird Blobs inhabit and describe is rather shabby.
The Bird Blobs website describes them as “drawing inspiration from the Scientists, Captain Beefheart and The Beasts of Bourbon.” Personally, I think they sound more like The Birthday Party but musically limited to guitar, bass, drums and vocals.
There’s a simple pattern at play: the drums thump and crash whilst one guitarist plays the basic rhythm and the other guitarist noodles angularly all over the place. The bass oscillates between providing a melody and a backbone for the music. It could almost be free jazz, really.
However, despite the relatively simple construction of the songs, it should be noted that the music is pretty inventive and that it doesn’t take many listens before the songs become distinguishable from one another.
Bird Blobs’ Bird Blobs is pop music at its ugliest, and it all holds together and makes for a pretty entertaining listen.
Birb Blobs are playing in Sydney on Saturday, 30th July at The Hopetoun and Saturday, 3rd September at The Annandale.
this is a concept
this is a bracelet
Lasso our views and keep a fresh and up-to-date eyeball on our latest reviews, articles and filthy somesuch. More pink eye?
class=etc
class=grimm
class=grimm
id=vonnegut
For lovers of reviews on music, books and theatre with advice and fiction on life and evolution.
Nipple protection from the elements?
Armpit hair needs a lair?
Bellybutton catching too many flies?
Then grab this comfy chest covering and other kinds of T-shirts at The Wax Sweatshop.