Review

I have to be honest, I’ve never been familiar with the music of Birds of Tokyo, yet I knew of them, I’m very familiar with that of Karnivool so know what to expect vocally as I knew Ian Kenny sings for both bands.  What I wasn’t ready for was an amazing album. This album is so easy to listen to that I actually almost forgot it was on.  It was comfortable if that makes any sense.  This is a great rock album full of some amazing melodies and very well written songs.

Ian’s at times haunting vocals are perfectly suited to the perfectly arranged music of the band. Songs like ‘Plans’ which lead the album and hook you from the beginning give you a great indication of what is to come and will leave you wanting more, and you get more, luckily because that was track 1 and you may feel a little ripped off otherwise.  There’s in some places an almost Muse/silverchair/Faith No More-esque vibe, yet Birds of Tokyo have made it their own and kudos to them for that.  I’m only 6 tracks in and really can’t wait to see what the rest of the album brings me.  I haven’t heard a bad track yet, every song could be a single, in particular ‘Wild At Heart’ a song that just trailed off in a single rockin’ guitar chord.  That’s a good one guys, release that one!  The production on this album is big in some parts, but that’s exactly how I like it, big drums and many layers. Yes! There’s ‘oh oh’s’ and if you know me you know I love a good ‘oh oh’ in a song!  You get plenty of them in ‘Waiting For The Wolves’ as well as a chorus so catchy you’ll need to go to the chemist to get something for it.  The album is rounded out with another favourite of mine, (brackets) in a song!  I mean, who doesn’t love brackets.  ‘If The Ship Sinks (I Give In)’ is a ripper, perfect way to end a really solid album. 

It’s really great to hear music this good come out of Australia, and these guys deserve to be big.  If this, their third album is any indication then they will, not should, will be.