Songed Birds: Furr

July 24, 2009

by Nate

New I and the Bird #105 by fellow Bloggerhead Kingbird Christopher at Picus Blog

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So it’s been a long time, well over a year, since I did one of these. That’s not a indication that I’ve stopped listening to music or anything, more a comment as to the rarity in which a band or album that name-checks birds comes along. That still hasn’t really happened, so I hope you forgive me this small stretch, but I’m pretty excited about this album and have been listening to it often in the last month or so and it may be something to which fellow birders and nature lovers might want to give a listen.

Portland, Oregon based Blitzen Trapper‘s fourth album Furr, their first for a label (indie mainstay Sub Pop) is a strong a move into the public consciousness as any indie release could be. They’ve come out of, and built on the Nu-folk movement characterized by acts like Grizzly Bear and Sufjan Stevens in that they rock harder, which is nice considering some Nu-folk can be a real chore to listen to, but retain the connection to the natural world through the lyrics. This seems to be a real theme in the Portland music scene, as they’re certainly not the only group from that area to find inspiration in nature. Must be something in the water out there, or the mountains…

As for the songs themselves, by and large they’re great fun to listen to. The album is primarily of guitar and piano driven with a sort of 70s vibe. There’s a direct line from here from the Neil Young, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan singer-songwriter school, but make no mistake, it’s a straight ahead rock album, not slow-paced lo-fi folk. One with a toe-tapping, head-nodding pedigree, it’s undeniably happy music. That’s not take away anything from the lyrics either, which will undoubtedly resonate with those who feel a kinship with the world outside your door, as these from Lady on the Water.

Lady on the water, bring me branches, bring me twine
Graft my heart upon the vine
With your wine down my feathers, as the cock crows given time

Or those from the title track, Furr, which seems to me to be about that thinly veiled desire we all share to get back to the simplicity of nature, the sort of thing we may be striving for on those perfect mornings in the field.

Yeah, when I was only seventeen, I could hear the angels whispering
So I drove into the woods and wandered aimlessly about
Until I heard my mother shouting through the fog
It turned out to be the howling of a dog
Or a wolf, to be exact the sound sent shivers down my back
But I was drawn into the pack and before long
They allowed me to join in and sing their song

Oh, and if the bird connection seems a little thin to you, be sure to purchase the album on iTunes because the bonus track is Ballad of Bird Love. I ask you, does it get any more explicit than that?

Anway, good tunes are for sharing. So consider them shared.

3 Comments

nishiki_85 permalink

July 24, 2009 10:10 am

Hi N8,

Take a look at this. "Young Cardinals" by the St.Catharines based band, at least Dallas Green is from my city of residence.

I may be a bit old to enjoy Alexisonfire but I do like the songs with Dallas Green singing along (chorus on Young Cardinals).

While watching the video, you can try and identify the gulls on the Niagara River.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57414819

And the album, errr CD, named "Old Crows/Young Cardinals"

http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/covers/02492.jpg

Dallas' solo project is really good, City and Colour.

This video was shot in St. Catharines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK1-3hsqOWE&feature=related

Dallas won a Juno (Canadian Grammy) this year for song writing. City and Colour is great stuff!
nishiki_85 permalink

July 24, 2009 10:21 am

BTW, interesting post. I'll have to check out the album Furr. Neil Young & Tom Petty songwriting, it has to be good.

Bob
Nate permalink

July 24, 2009 3:53 pm

@nishiki- Thanks! I'll check them out when I get home. Old Crows/New Cardinals would be an excellent group to feature in another Songed Birds.