Album – The Bluebird Sings – A Whisper in the Noise

Posted by admin on February 26th, 2007

If this album were any darker it would probably have it’s epicenter in a black hole. Consequently this isn’t going to be an album that you throw on for a cheery sing song. That being said, I’m a great advocate for the darker side of music and sometimes love to wallow in the depth of someone else’s despair. The album opens with “The Tale of Two Doves”, which I have violins that just drive me nuts. It’s almost like someone dragging their nails down a blackboard. The title track has a a very manic and almost psychotic, bordering on the edge of madness vibe, which at times is I have to say a little unnerving. It’s like peering into the mind of a mad man, but there’s something strangely compelling.

“The Carpenters Coalmen”, sees the album take a more relaxed and friendlier sound, all the while though, you feel yourself being lulled into a false sense of security, standing like a deer in the headlights, you can’t help but wait for final impact. “Through Wounds We Will Stitch” the more relaxed tone continues, with a lovely piano rift repeating throughout the whole track. In fact this lighter sound continues with “Hell’s Half Acre”, which again makes great use of the piano.

By the time we get to “Havoc” that manic, maudlin sound returns, but again it’s like being a witness to a car crash, unable to avert your gaze. Unfortunately that violin returns for “Until the Time It’s Over”, which if I were listening on headphones would probably feel like someone sticking knitting needles in my brain. It’s not that I have any kind of aversion to the use of violins, just when they wail like banshees. “The Sounding Line” and “Bridal” fortunately revert to the more relaxed and mellow (but still maudlin) sound.

Final impact comes with the absolutely amazing Bob Dylan cover of “The Times They Are A-Changin'”, a beautifully haunting rendition of the Dylan classic and a fitting end to the album. This was the track that brought the band to my attention and must surely go down as one of the great Dylan covers.

Conclusion : I put this album on the house stereo and it wasn’t long before my wife gave me the look that says it all. So it’s not going to be your usual family friendly CD, but still I find myself coming back for one more listen. Amazing stuff.

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