For those of you who may not be familiar with the band Bird Talk, allow me to introduce you.

As a foursome with peppy monikers instead of names: Jumpy, Shimby, Jacco and Emily (the only one that’s not quite a nickname, or then again, maybe it is), their sound is actually perfectly suited for their personas. Buoyant, clangy guitar-centric rock is the predominant theme pervading “No Bird Left Behind”, the Chicago-based avianphiles’ newest LP.

“No Bird Left Behind” has some notable highlights. “Weekend in Tulum” displays the band’s spacious potential for layering and songwriting. Undergound is another song that fits in the same category, illustrating their superior song craft. Then comes the thrasher “Turn it Up!” which reeks of post-punk infusion and is well placed within the record (after the elegant “Tulum”). At that point, the keyboards also begin to gel more with the record overall, something that was lacking earlier.

On the whole, the album is in line with what’s been coming from the indie music scene for a few years- driving downbeats with rough but inoffensive guitar rhythms and the occasional keyboard motif for flare. Some superfluous chatter between Weekend in Tulum and Turn it Up! tries to demonstrate Bird Talk’s relaxed style, but they definitely sound better when the instruments are kicked up and getting some use. Pep and energy are among their greatest assets.

Most of the flavor comes from the lead lyricist, whose identity is unknown after a cursory glance at the band’s Myspace page. The singer’s intriguing and characteristic vocal technique seems to aim for edgy counter-cultural revolutionary and almost makes it there before landing somewhere between Geddy Lee, The Go! Team, and Toni Basil (a valiant effort). The melodies are memorable, and with repeated listens the vocal textures become more appealing and catchy.

The song “Crowne & Coke (Do it! Do it!)” rounds out “No Bird Left Behind” extremely well, containing not only some great subversive lyrics and punchy beats, but a slight Canadian tinge that complements (and maybe underscores) their inevitably political album title. Whatever their politics may be, they seem to be advocating for a world containing enough birds, inclusion, and Crown Royal to make anyone happy.
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Catch Bird Talk Saturday, January 9, at Silvie’s Lounge!
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