Birds Of Tokyo
While most bands these days tend to wait a couple of years in-between albums, Birds Of Tokyo's methodology is more in keeping with the greats of rock'n'roll. So, less than 16-months after their stunning independent debut, Day One, Birds Of Tokyo are back with Universes - their breathtaking and still proudly independent follow-up album.
Although some things have changed over the years, Birds Of Tokyo have been smart enough to avoid trends, instead focusing on what seems to be a long-lost strategy: write great songs, then put them out. Seems simple really.
So, striking while the iron is hot, Birds Of Tokyo have wasted no time in writing great songs and putting them out... and if you thought their debut turned some heads, then Universes will just about break necks. Darker than its older brother, but no less focused on razor sharp pop hooks, Universes is Birds Of Tokyo in full flight. Inspired by the runaway success the past year has blessed them with, the band is energised to new levels.
Recorded in a remote location in Western Australia's renowned Margaret River region, Universes is an absolute flex of creative muscle. Though it builds upon the strengths already laid out in Day One, Universes is all about songs. The production might be bigger, heavier and more bombastic, but at the heart of the album is the band's unarguable ability to write tunes that have an almost universal appeal.
To add the finishing touches, Birds Of Tokyo enlisted Tim Palmer - one of the few men whose mixing skills command the right blend of crunching fidelity and day-dreamy minimalism to make Universes come to life the way the band envisioned from the beginning. The man behind the more beautiful mixes of U2, The Cure and Pearl Jam - Palmer was an essential addition to the Birds Of Tokyo team.
To call it a journey might be a bit flamboyant, but to call it anything else would be inaccurate. As they always do, though, Birds Of Tokyo would prefer to have you figure it out on your own... on your own terms, and at your own leisure. Then cop it live at Southbound!