Search - Birdsongs of the Mesozoic :: Iridium Controversy

Birdsongs... Sweet!

Dan A. Bobrowski | California | 01/12/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first taste of "Birdsongs" music and I am taken with it. Many Progressive rhythms, elements of jazz, classical and rock. This is instrumental music. Sax, Guitar, Keyboards, Synths are delicate and percussions galore. Song lengths between 3 and 7 minutes in length. Beautiful shifting textures, flowing jazz lines, a little hip-hop beat now and then with a diverse range of percussive instruments. Only four members are listed although five others appear on the album, one of which, Roger Miller, was a former band member. The other four are percussionists.



Fans of classical and jazz music may enjoy this album. At times is reminds me of Bill Brufords Earthworks (first album, at least). Prog-metal fans might have a hard time understanding it. The guitar lines are rich and tasteful, never bombastic, occassionally Holdsworthian."

Making You Smarter

Dan A. Bobrowski | 05/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is really intelligent music. This album represents the best fusion of Classical Music with Rock that I have ever heard. Yes, it is cerebral and it does challenge you. I have found that if you concentrate on it you will feel your brain working better after you are finished with it. This occurs because it stimulates new neural patterns in your brain - you really have not heard music like this before. It is not Classical it is not Rock. It really is both. And I'm not talking about the pseudo art rock of 70's Genises or Yes. This is the real deal."

Fantastic Modern Prog!

Carl Johnson | Detroit, MI United States | 02/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Birdsongs is a band with a twenty year history. For me, this is their best CD yet! Traveling through realms of Classical, jazz, prog rock with the wall of sound textures and full instramentation. Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and the Iridium Controversy CD, stands alone and away from the tired prog pack! As people appreciate when you reference an unknown band to other bands, I will attempt to do so. Birdsongs... however, stands alone, but the musical intellegence might be simular to Renaissance, Neil Ardley, Henry Cow, (Orchestral) ELP (only better!),.. The musical pieces just flow on their own volition. Plenty of time signature changes yet the songs work, and they are NOT abrasively abrupt. The music leaves the listener intregred, reflective and not at all bored. The instramentation is complex and yet it works on an aesthetic level unlike most prog. Not as "heavy" as Art Zoyd or King Crimson- yet shares the ability to keep the listener engaged! Track six is my personal favorite. Excellent Spin!"