Birds and Arrows’ new album ‘Arbitrary Magic’ is an unyielding alt-rock smorgasbord of clever hooks, and eurythmic rock ’n’ roll!
The new album ‘Arbitrary Magic’ by Birds and Arrows is definitely a record that will pull you in from track 1.
‘Overloaded’ is a blunt, driving rock song with drums and guitar busting open the sonic door before Andrea’s vocal takes over. Each three chord sequence guitar walk-down in the verse feels like chorus, but is really a second riff of the verse before the instrumental interlude returns. The chorus itself exhibits clever minor chord hook placement following the second verse with great harmony vocals by Pete Connolly and lead guitar descending sequences. It is no mystery why this track is the “lead-off” of the record. It establishes from the beginning the quality and style you should expect from these seasoned artists and songwriters.
‘No Hand Me Downs’ has an intro and guitar edge similar to Led Zeppelin’s slower groove tracks like “Houses of The Holy”. Andrea tells a story about her older sister treating her like a servant. The song explores more of her unsavory feelings about the “cool girls” almost like a rock opera with hooks changing along with every mood she slips into. Lots of chromatic lyrical and melodic playfulness reinforces the storyline by weaving chords behind and in unison to Andrea’s vocal melodies. There is even a point during this rocking track that starts to feel like progressive 70’s rock!
‘Adrift’ drops you into a ballad trance and Andrea’s alto range takes the verse into an intimate reflective space. Then she really opens up the track lyrically when she belts ‘Baby you could be my savior tonight / Come on over, go make everything alright, yeah’. This track flashes the indie-alt influence much more than the previous 2 songs. There is also a vocal quality in this song much like a “Joan Jett-Sheryl Crow hybrid”. Pete also holds his own on this track, and the vocal duet between him and Andrea reveals a different level of lyrical and musical kinship. I also really love the guitar solo riff that ends the track. It’s a magical space!
It should be noted that Ben Nisbet played lead previously on ‘Overloaded’ and continues with a Zeppelin-like swagger on ‘Stay Down’. This raucous song-party is full of Andrea’s yells, screams, and a powerful “70’s rock-live-performance-recording feel”. Damn, it feels so good too! It’s like you are there for the song experience in the studio. I tip my hat to all who were a part of the production on this tune.
‘All Souls Sell Out’ features the beginning of Connor Gallaher’s lead and pedal steel guitar voice on the album. It washes the song in a warm desert-country fringe, that is soon morphed into the signature rock groove of Andrea and Pete. My favorite lyric of the song “From Santa Cruz / to plastic shoes…” cues the isolated the guitar sounds of Andrea and Connor in a dreamlike bridge, before Pete brings it all back to the hard pocket groove. The variation on instruments playing together is quite tactful when there only seems to be 2–3 performers at a time creating the musical backdrop. Because of this arranging style, I believe songs can be delivered well as a duo during live performances.
‘The Distance That We Drive’ gives me nostalgia for some of my favorite “road trip tracks” from the 90’s. Most of the song slowly waves you back in forth with big vocals in the forefront, until about 3:35, when a jam section takes over the song. This is another track where the exciting live interplay of the band comes out in the studio recording.
‘San Jacinto’ definitely shows the influence of Gabriel Sullivan with the atmospheric tracking style, and great cinematic oscillating gems by Connor Gallaher, along with bass done by Gabriel Sullivan himself. It looks like Sullivan actually tracked bass for the entire record which has, no doubt, affected the quality of the full band experience that is already powerful with Andrea and Pete driving the musical machine. This song is probably the most dynamic and powerful track on the album. It channels a “Jefferson Airplane band” type of haunt that sticks with you long into the next and final track on the album. My favorite song for sure.
‘Animatronic Heart’ begins with the only acoustic guitar I’ve heard so far on this record. This tune feels a lot like early Radiohead, and you hear Andrea’s soft and sweet vocal carrying you halfway throughout the experience. When the drums finally kick in you are now soaring in a full anthem sway in the clouds. It’s definitely the most beautiful and graceful rock song on the record with tinges of Americana. It’s also quite a perfect way to wrap up this journey through the vast diversity of alt-rock that is the band, Birds and Arrows.
Birds and Arrows’ new album ‘Arbitrary Magic’ is boldly arousing, inventive, and raw with a creative yield that displays great rock ’n’ roll at new level of musicianship and songwriting.
Their official CD release is in Tucson, AZ, free on the Hotel Congress plaza Friday, November 2nd! You won’t want to miss it! Check the link to the show or their website for more details!
Article written by: Jacob Acosta
Jacob is a writer, producer, musician, and teacher who lives in Tucson, AZ. He has been a music professional in film, advertising, and performance for 14 years. Connect with him at:
