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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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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