speed of dark

Indie Mom first discovered Birdmonster's debut full-length CD, No Midnight (2006) with her favorite song of theirs "Janine." "The Bar In the Back of the Basement" from that album wound up on my Favorites of 2006 list. We've been trying to see them ever since then, but somehow it just didn't work out when they happened to come to town. This past Tuesday we finally succeeded when they opened for Sons and Daughters at the Troubadour. This was the first of many show dates coming up in the next two months, with many opening for Brit band the Rumble Strips.

Coincidentally, Tuesday was also the official release date for Birdmonster's second full-length and first label release, From the Mountain To the Sea, so it was not surprising that the setlist was comprised mostly of the new songs. I am just getting into the new album, but my first impression is that it seems more gentle and reflective than its predecessor with more focus on singer/lyricist Peter Arcuni's vocals and a bit less focus on guitars. I am finding new favorites here in "New Country," "I Might Have Guessed," and "The Iditarod."


Peter Arcuni


Peter with Justin Tenuto on melodica
Justin is also the author of the always informative and often hilarious Birdmonster Blog.
COPYRIGHTED CONTENT HAS BEEN REMOVED
Setlist:
1. My Love For You
2. Our Ashes
3. Born To Be Your Man
4. I Might Have Guessed
5. New Country
6. Balcony (from No Midnight)
7. The Iditarod
8. Lost At Sea
9. Indie Mom wrote "You Don't Know Me" on our notes, and when we asked Peter about this snatch of song after the show, he said he had made it up a half hour before the show, and our guess at the title was as good as his!
10. Ball of Yarn(from No Midnight)
11. Heart of the Dead
12. Residue
13. Spaceman (a short version of an adorable song from No Midnight that makes a great ending song)

Click to enlarge

Left: Guitarist Dave Klein, who always looks happy; Right: Peter and Dave


Left: Peter; Right: Zach Winter (drums), Peter, and Justin (bass)
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Buy at Birdmonster Store, Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic (No Midnight)

Show Schedule: Check MySpace -- dates are being added.