Birds That Change Colour - On Recording the Sun

by Carl Bookstein

published: 1 / 4 / 2012

Birds That Change Colour - On Recording the Sun

Label: Jezus Factory
Format: CD

Fabulous psychedelic folk on debut album from promising Antwerp-based band, Birds That Change Colour.

Review

From their hometown of Antwerp, the psych-folk band Birds That Change Colour releases their first album 'On Recording the Sun'. With a dream-like ambient vibe, the Birds’ songs alternate from the melancholy to upbeat-rich tracks and psychedelic-influenced nuggets. The Birds That Change Colour includes singer-songwriter and guitarist Koen Kohlbacher, drummer Dave Schroyen and producer-bass player Christophe Albertijn. On the new album, tradition meets experimentation. Hypnotic vocals are coloured by thoughtful instrumental arrangements. The opener 'Stones' starts with a vibrant hum, evolving into a sound that is both understated and symphonic like Pink Floyd. The effect is both modern and hippie psychedelic. The lead vocal is guru like: “It’s a lovely morning/We’ve got so much time.” The Birds capture a sound at once melancholy, bright and Beatlesque. The Birds’ album represents a mix of eclectic music. 'Playground' is soothing folk possessing depth, magic and a real organic flow. 'Woods' is trippy psychedelic folk. Hushed tones accompany an easy acoustic guitar. “I dreamed about the woods today… The trees were talking… The river was singing…” 'Sunny Sides of Me' captures the musical influence of the great Syd Barrett- upbeat playful and early Floyd like. The album speaks eloquently of both earth and space. On 'Lullaby', the lyric is: “The stars will rise and keep a watchful eye… Upon you they shine.” 'Never Ending First of May' is haunting country folk, capturing a sound that is somehow ancient as well. Finally 'O What A Day' ends the album on a shining optimistic note. The Birds That Change Colour has created music that is satisfying psychedelic folk, and a debut that is both original and promising.

Track Listing:-

1 Stones
2 Tales From The Moon
3 Playground
4 Spiders And Castaways
5 Woods
6 Sunny Sides Of Me
7 Oh So Tired
8 Lullaby
9 Never Ending First Of May
10 Oh What A Day