Bowerbirds - Upper Air [CD]

Dead Oceans

July 16, 2009, 10:35 PM

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The Bowerbirds are on the move with their latest release - Upper Air from Dead Oceans Records. To support the record and share with their fans, they're touring with one of their favorite bands, MEGAFUN.

This neo-folk group has a unique, vaguely '60s folk sound with their stripped down arrangements. Beth Tacular and Phil Moore are the core of the band, with Matt Damron joining them this past Spring on the drums. Tacular plays accordion and bass drum while singing with Moore, who handles a guitar as well as a mean tambourine.

These are very simple arrangements, but they work. By reducing the clutter, it's much easier to focus on not only the melodies and harmonies, but the heartfelt lyrics. The songs on Upper Air come from a very personal place, emotionally engaging the audience with the stories woven within. The relationship between Tacular and Moore is easy to hear as you work through the album.

Moore's voice and style has elements of Counting Crows' frontman Adam Duritz, but embodies a purity I've rarely heard in modern folk beyond a few artists like Glen Hansard (from the Once soundtrack and The Swell Season). Tacular's voice adds a haunting quality to some of the harmonies and a depth to others. I'm a fan of this stripped down acoustic approach to folk storytelling.

Familiar folk themes of personal freedom ("House of Diamonds"), growth ("Teeth"), and love and lust ("Crooked Lust") are interwoven throughout Upper Air. Combine these socially and personally relevant lyrics with creative finger picking and you have a unique musical landscape to travel from track to track.

Be sure to check out the Bowerbirds website here for their tour dates and a link to find their music (including Upper Air) on sale.

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