Music for Dead Birds - Vitamins

Music for Dead Birds

Vitamins
Ghosthome Recordings; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Megan Gazzo

Vitamins by Music for Dead Birds is both folky and a rock anthem. The content is folk music inspired with the story, but it has an underbody of an uncomfortable dank rock sound. 

The first song "Forever Wasted" feels damp and dark. The band consists of two Irishmen and the song’s title doesn't seem to be far off from the theme of one with the Irish blood. Perhaps this song was written in the depths of a really bad hangover, but it feels like they might need to get hydrated and take a nap. It is powerful though and I love the Irish accents. Accents always save the day because they are just so darn charming! 

The next song on the album is the complete opposite of the first one. " It's Fine" is a sweet melodic love song. The singer has a gorgeous voice that hits directly in the heart. As a listener I like much more when he is wasted on love.  The synthy, edgy electric guitar power riffs come into play in the middle of the song. Beautiful vocals, gentle but powerful guitar strumming and well-delivered drums with tons of cymbal-use create a piece that is lovely and an audio pleasure. 

"Magic Witch" the next song on the album brings back that dankness and is taking the road to being classified as heavy metal. They never arrive at the heavy metal station, but they definitely are taking the road there. It is as if a folk caravan feels like they wanted to be a bit rebellious or different and decided to go their own way. It feels anti-establishment and anarchist in their sound. The beauty still weaves itself in but with this song in particular the dark side of the moon is brought forward more. 

As the album continues on, "Dead Pets" reminds me of Porno for Pyros song " Pets." It is awkward subject matter and makes the listener half laugh and half cry. The song moves in and out of a condensed guitar and drum laden steady driven rhythm, and is highlighted with some higher guitar octaves that pull it out into an open space here and again. Each song through the album is mostly just dusted with folky feelings, but continues to be extremely concise and deeply rooted. I think this album was most likely written in the winter. 

Moving right along, the song "I Could See It" brings that Nirvana sound. Definitely feels like many songs on the album have a ‘90s American rock/grunge feel. I keep seeing images of Kurt Cobain or Gavin Rossdale dancing through my head. It is nice to have a modern day approach to that grungy past time. Makes me wanna go throw on a flannel and some white washed jeans and refuse to brush my hair. The song " Right Eye Open" brings back that folky vibe. The message of the song and the overall feel is acoustic and heart felt. Seems to be an Irish proverb in there somewhere. There is a slight accent of the deep electric guitar, which then continues to take over. If you are a big fan of electric guitar, you will love this album because it is simply laden with it. The drums somewhat sit in the background alongside vocals while the guitar seems to be of foremost importance. The last song on the album " A Better View" is soft and loving. Yay! Us gals love that kind of stuff. Then of course, what do you know, it gets hard! Moving in and out of the grungy vibes. 

Overall, the album is a mixture between folk and grunge, with some love songs mixed in here and again- on the road to heavy metal kingdom. I think it gets many points in uniqueness. I felt more connected to the folk love song aspect of the album rather than the reverberating heavy metal aspect, but I do think the whole piece has been done well. The vocals, guitar and drumming all have talented people behind them. I think we could do with less electric guitar because it is so intense that sometimes it washes out a whole song with its sound - but I do enjoy such elements when I am out dancing at their actual show rather than just listening to the album at home or in a car. I think it is unique and powerful and everyone should give a listen - especially if you have Irish blood. Throw on a kilt and mosh around to these numbers!

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