構成数 | 1枚

合計収録時間 | 00:00:00

Two Wounded Birds may have formed in a small town on the isolated British seaside, but they have California blood running through their veins. On their self-titled debut album, they incorporate the sunny good times of the beach and the lonely city-at-night feel of classic noir, and they do a fine job with each. Inspired by the reverby tones of surf music, the sultry balladry of early rock & rollers (think Rick Nelson's "Lonesome Town"), and a little bit of modern noise pop, the band gets a sound that's both classic and quite modern. Led by lead guitarist/vocalist Johnny Danger, they bolt through surfy rockers ("Together Forever") and 12-bar rave-ups ("Daddy's Junk") with a joyous abandon, romp through midtempo romancers ("It's Not Up to You") with a light touch, and pull off a decent surf instrumental too ("The Last Supper"). The real heart of the album comes with the slower songs that let some darkness creep into the sound and show off both Danger's vocal range and his knack for crafting guitar lines that head right for the memory bank. "I'm No Saviour," which shows off some fine falsetto work, is a good example of the former; "Night Patrol" is a stunning example of the latter. With that song and a couple other nocturnal ballads, the group displays an impressive ability to create a mood of nocturnal melancholy that's unforced and sounds just about perfect. The schizophrenic nature of the album might be a problem if the band didn't do both styles so well. As it is, they blend sun and tears, heartbreak and sunblock into a mix so well balanced that it'll have listeners covered no matter how they feel. Two Wounded Birds is a well-crafted and powerful debut from a band that arrived in full control of both its sound and its songs. ~ Tim Sendra