Review: Bowerbids- Upper Air

So much of Bowerbirds’ material hinges on their affection for extensions of nature. On their primary release, Hymns for a Dark Horse, Phil Moore’s rich, versatile voice intertwined with a lover’s tryst among the moss, and artillery against the winter winds. In delicate harmony with Beth Tacular on backup vocals, accordion and keys; they personified leopard frogs and crows.

Their initial craft was one of earthy simplicity; and while the addition of drums on Upper Air--played mostly on tour by Matt Damron--gives body to the composition, it removes the traces of intimacy.

When an acoustic recording’s done right, there’s an intense conduit between listener and artist. The simplicity in an acoustic setting is one of the most accessible sounds in music. On Dark Horse, rhythm never broke the threshold beyond the odd muted thump or brush with the tom.

Upper Air still maintains much of Bowerbirds’ poignancy, especially in "Beneath Your Tree," where Moore and Tacular’s imagery seeps through the accordion melody with their harmony: "I’ll always find my way to your eyes / and the moon will rise and make me fall to sleep beneath your tree / and the wind will howl through your leaves and serenade me.”

Lyrical portraits like this are a Bowerbirds staple, along with their warm and simple arrangements. Upper Air could have remained buoyant without the drumming, which never seemed to be too complex or highlight anything potentially shrouded.

If you’re looking for growth, then Upper Air has got that. But sometimes, you just don’t want to grow up.

MP3: Bowerbirds- "Northern Lights"








For more info on Bowerbirds, bowerbirds.org.

-Article by Elise Granata

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