Album review: BIRDPEN – There’s Something Wrong With Everything

Jar Records [Release date 12.10.18]

BirdPen are a duo hailing from Southampton – singer/songwriter Dave Pen and guitarist, keyboardist Mike Bird. They have been making music since 2003, with this being their fifth full studio album.

Set in the now/near future the songs deal with a disjointed society, rife with social media overload, people reliant on pills to get them by and corrupt world leaders. Yet despite such serious and lets face it, depressing themes, BirdPen have uplifting melodies such as on the single ‘Eyes In The Sky’. Then there is the 80′s indie disco feel to ‘Oh So Happy’, a floor filling anthem if ever there was one at said disco- helped also by Dave Pen’s melodic singing.

‘The End Is On TV’ sees a clever use of electronics and drum patterns. The sparseness of the arrangement recalling Left With Pictures and fellow Southampton based progressive band I.T.

‘This Is Your Life’ starts off with a Pink Floyd approved intro, building up with a percussive drumbeat and bass, before the guitar crashes in halfway through and fades again. Inventive, interesting and exciting to listen to all at the same time.

BirdPen have created an album full of complex music underpinned by strong melodies, that touches upon prog rock, electronica, alt rock and even a touch of indie pop. An album about the times, for the times, don’t let this one pass you by. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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

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

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 2 March 2025.

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 on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.