Album review: BIRDEATSBABY – The World Conspires

Bandcamp [Release date 18.10.19]

‘The World Conspires’ is the fifth album from birdeatsbaby, who started out in 2009. Birdeatsbaby’s current line-up consist of Mishkin Fitzgerald (vocals, piano, accordion, synths), Hana Maria (violin, cello, vocals, harp, hurdy-gurdy), Garry Mitchell (bass, guitars, vocals, double bass, Rhodes Organ) and Pablo Paracchino (drums, percussion, flute, sax).

Fellow GRTR! writer Pete Whalley reviewed their 2016 album ‘Tanta Furia’ hitting the nail on the head when he said, “it’s to their credit that they sound like no one else”. Birdseatbaby play music they want, regardless of genre, so strap yourself in dear listener for a musical ride like no other…

Opening with the melodic refrain of ‘Hold Your Breath’, it lulls the listen in before the single ‘Painkiller’, a metal beast of a song and totally at odds with the opening track. Mind you the next song ‘Zero Forty Three’ sounds like a female fronted Muse, featuring a wonderful synths, strings and vocals mix. So expect the unexpected as you progress through the album.

‘Lady Grey’ is a catchy tune and one of the album’s highlights (along with ‘Bad Blood’ – loving the madcap time changes on this one), whilst ‘Esmeralda’ is a laid back number with a jazzy feel. Just as you are sitting (fairly) comfortably the classical/operatic ‘Dido’s Lament’ appears. They really do go wherever their muse takes them. Just for variety this is then followed by the punky refrains on ‘Kill No One’. Album closer ‘Look Away’ brings to mind Dead Can Dance, trippy folk topped by dreamy vocals.

This is not an instant album by any means, but then albums that take a little effort to fully appreciate often stand the test of time, as opposed to an instant album that can sometimes wear thin after a couple of months, even weeks. Highly recommended as birdeatsbaby are the very essence of progressive music, pushing themselves into new musical realms each time, always listenable though and not self-indulgent nonsense that can beset some bands. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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