Released 7th December ‘09, Rough Trade
The first thing that hits you with An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump is lead singer C-Bird’s impressively soulful voice. Her pipes are so powerful that she could easily be confused with Heather Smalls in her 90s heyday. Thankfully though, this is as close as they get to sounding like M People, as all other comparisons are quickly discarded.
Initially with only vocals and thumping drums, the dark beginnings of Silent Hour entice you into their arms, only for the three-piece to then punish you by hurling an explosion of guitar in your face. However, this simply makes you come back and beg for more.
The girly trio of C-Bird, D-Bird and X-Bird then slide in with some hardcore guitar, exciting you no end, before leading you astray with Smear; a chugging medley of post-punk. Taking their title from Joseph Wright’s 18th century oil painting of the same name, An Experiment… throw out pleasingly-kooky lyrics to a tune that lures you in and proceeds to swallow you whole.
After such a nostalgic grunge trip, the ladies delight again with Only In Death. The crash of guitar and drums only serve to push C-Bird’s formidable vocals further, as she yelps in a manner akin to Karen O on Black Tongue.
What’s interesting about this troupe – apart from the peculiar waves they seem to be creating – is just how talented a set of musicians they are. All fully able, each lassie is well-versed in vocals, drums and bass. So much so, in fact, that it begs the question whether, when playing live, they’re constantly switching positions. Already a band of so many styles, it seems that it would only be right to confuse their audience that little more.
Posted In Single Reviews, Nov 15 2009.
Words - Rich