THEM BIRD THINGS
Them Bird Things from Finland have risen to the surface with an incredible fifth album. Gone are the acoustic tracks from previous recordings. The forgotten electric tones from their debut albums fly in full swing. These songs take you to the swanky dives where you crave the cheap drinks and the dark acidic back alley atmospheres laced with truck driver conversations at break-neck speed. Each song is baked to perfection and laced with booze. "May I have another slice?", they ask. "Help yourself", I reply and they keep listening until they are fully sated and out of their minds. I have found this is great traveling music which many reviewers have given a 5 star rating. This compelling CD is one worth listening to over and over again. Salla Day, lead vocal, started her musical career around the year 2000 with the band Branded Women. Her personal role model includes u.a. Judy Henske. Julius Heikkilä, new to the band, plays electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, organ and piano. The rest of the band includes Tapani Varis - electric bass, Bass VI, electric guitar, organ and piano and Affe Forsman - drums and percussion. Will Shade, the non musician of the group, writes partial lyrics and shapes the studio recordings.
This line-up is much more of an organic entity. The music comes across as more relaxed and stress free Making it loud and dirty as it was envisioned. The band's name 'Them Bird Things' came from a composition of three famous English R & B bands from the British blues boom. Them (Van Morrison’s first band), Bird from the YardBIRDs and Things from the Pretty THINGS. There have been many line-ups within the band so, of course, it has changed over time. As people come and go, they bring different influences and abilities with them. That has an impact on both the sound and songwriting. They all have their likes and dislikes and it has often been a struggle to find a middle ground. This most recent line-up doesn’t have that problem. they’re all on the same page.
judy henske - high flying bird - 1963 - one of Salla's influences
Salla during her Branded women days
Them bird things's stephen Crow Must die takes you into a darker world where it grabs hold of you, keeps you there and doesn't let go until the very end. The Music becomes your personal portal into Encounters unimaginable. Welcome to the realm where the rules and meanings start unraveling. . . . .
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I think she likes me - sassy and funky with a slow and heavy beat. "Come on over!" Cool and grooving with special overtones. unexpected agitation arrives when this situation is discovered. 'I walked into a strange cafe. No one there's ever heard my name. I go to the bar, have a seat. talk to that woman sitting next to me. . . . .'
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House of stone - Eerie tones of suspense begin the song which shifts to a rockabilly psychedelic trip. 'The Flying Dutchman and the King of Fu Introduced themselves with a "how do you do?" Cause their mystic buick was electric blue. but that was the least of their worries. . . . .'
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I, Julius - Instrumental. Electric trips of rock elation 60's style. The guitar talks. Listen to its wailing story. seedy psychedelics. Headlights and taillights become a blur when driving all night. . . . .'
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Last of the silent screen stars - Sound of film moving through a projector. It fades away and a poignant rock tune emerges. The guitar creeps around the song. High notes accent the tale. 'a darling of new york. i made millions. the Japanese loved me And so did the Brazilians. . . . .'
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choke chain - Someone shouts out a quick choking scream. The song taunts at the characters sadistically reversing their roles. they are not what you thought they were. Slight rockabilly mixed with a Tom Rush 'who do you love' beat. 'You got the choke chain on me baby. walking me downtown. i used to be a bad dog now i barely don't get around. . . . .'
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alcoholocaust ( I'm Drunk again ) - non stop continuation. demons march to the beat rearing their ugly heads. she's drunk yet again preaching the commotion of her suffering state of mind. 'I'm not the kind to come home smelling like a brewery. or the sort to pawn all my jewelry. tomato and rye, here's mud in your eye. I'm drunk again. . . . .' And in between, the guitar makes rash rockabilly statements in order to fill in her gaps.
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Love is a vendetta - The song starts out with a cheerful 'Mashed Potato' tune but the wheezing organ and sultry chorus gives it more of a rocking 1940's feel. betrayal is in the air. 'you broke my heart with the back of a hand. friday night fights, custer's last stand. . . . .'
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in the shadow of mulatto mountain - a country life in the mountains depicts the downfalls that come with limited exposure to what's beyond their eyes. like actions being filmed to depict the lifestyle, a cue is called to begin the scene. the tune is slow and laid back. it rocks but haunts you to the core. 'and my name is barrymore. candace from the country store. like my mama and her mama before. . . . .'
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Slim harpo sez - slim believes what he believes and his belief, according to slim, is being versed in all. this all takes place in his own mind. do you believe his testimony? he stands at the podium preaching his gospel. this is a fast paced traveling spiel as he never stays in one place long. the build up is in the clicking beats of drum sticks. 'god is dead. yes, god is dead. said god is dead. he retired to the coast. junior's in charge. he fired the holy ghost. . . . .'
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Call me calamity ( the great white hope ) - who do you feel like being? who comes to mind? Cymbals in rhythm like the chugging of a train building momentum. crazy scenes fly by. electronic masterpieces. rockabilly motion. 'maybe i'm a number. maybe i'm a chief. maybe i'm a Cadillac. maybe i smoke spleef. . . . . right now i feel like elvis, son. . . . .'
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saint jerome in the desert observes hunting hawks - the emotionless observations heal the burns like a tonic. slow brutal throbbing with animal bluntness. 'let us speak of the strong and weak. of flight and appetite and hawks that hunt. . . . .'
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Stephen crow must die - a back road winds into a desolate nightmare where the unlit wasteland becomes the scars of the nation. ' . . . . a child was made after a maid had lain neath a wedded man and so was slain. . . . . One may wonder why Stephen crow must die. . . . .'
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Rainy Boy - Surf and rockabilly. An ominous tale. 'Came home from the country fair with wind at my heels and rain in my hair. All the leaves a falling. said are you ready. Two weeks I've been willing. . . . .' What happens next is yet to be revealed when a brother and sister let the emotions of lust take over.
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Why Should We Not - Instrumental. Hazy and psychedelic. the slowest and creepiest rockabilly played in minor notes. Sadness is prominent in the overtones.
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Let Us Burn - Like the beginning of a horror story, the song draws you further into the macabre the further you go. Salla's voice is muted taking a ghostly presence. take a closer look at the edifice and squirm. 'I am haunted by fire and what it does. i like to set it. Why? Just because. Why? Just because. . . . .'
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Wife of Bath - A school bell or A clock alarm that won't stop. imagine what you will. the music kills the drone. A grungy electric guitar melody takes its place slapped by a drum. 'A sweetheart of the rodeo. the daughter of a clown. I'm the wife of Bath. If you hang me I drown. . . . .' Great revenge!
American songs mixed with the European sound. Mysterious and dark moods mirror the lyrics. Intense. The strength is in Salla's voice, which is so unique, gives full expression. An aural and emotional experience. To find out more about Them Bird Things and listen to all of the songs go to:
Denise L. @DL7855 2017