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Fintage House [Release date 11.05.15]
Birdpen are duo guitarist and keyboard player Mike Bird, and singer, guitarist and keyboard player Dave Pen who’s also a programmer and engineer. Formed in Southampton in 2003 their 2009 debut On/Off/Safety/ Danger was frequently compared to Radiohead. In The Company Of Imaginary Friends is their Pledge-funded successor to 2012′s Global Lows.
The album is what, in days of yore, we might have labelled a ‘concept’ – spatial, occasionally experimental, yet cinematic, guitar/keyboards based rock. Exploring reaching out for freedom in a world that is forever spiralling out of control, it’s an atmospheric work that isn’t designed to be dissected or used as a backdrop to the everyday humdrum of modern life.
No, it’s designed to be played in the evening as the sun sets, the lava lamp warms, and with a large glass of single malt to chill the mood. Reference points are too many to mention but the obvious ones are the likes of Floyd, Jarre, Mike Oldfield, and Alan Parsons, all brought up to date, well relatively, with hints of The Editors. The most apt read-across perhaps being to Public Symphony (whatever happened to them?).
Yes, In The Company Of Imaginary Friends might not break fresh ground, but it is a record to be savoured. Lacking perhaps, only in widescreen guitar breaks, but at the same time that proves to be a strength in bringing into focus the ethereal rhythms, emotive vocals and evocative keyboard work. The guitar is a potent component, but it’s complementary rather than the focus of proceedings.
The result is an impressive record and one wonders why Birdpen are such a well-kept secret in the UK while finding wider acceptance across the Eurozone in Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, The Netherlands and Sweden. With any justice In The Company Of Imaginary Friends will right that balance. ***1/2
Review by Pete Whalley
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