Virgin of the Birds – Dear Furies

Posted by Matthew in Reviews on 13 Oct 09 • No Comments »

virgin More really good stuff from Virgin of the Birds, whose previous EP I reviewed only recently. The plan is to release regular free EPs over the course of the next year or so, which is bloody good news for the likes of you and I. Once again they flirt with pop songs early on, whilst keeping the rest of the EP fairly downbeat and bare-bones.

It’s funny to note that once again he starts with the pop stuff, before slowly easing matters back to a more measured stroll. Spanish Accusations has a nice and simple, carefree piano rhythm running through it, giving it a bit of a gentle skip, but by the time The Serpent Plume brings things to a close everything has dissolved into the lazy haze of Summer afternoon.

The interplay of the organ, piano and shuffling guitar is beautifully judged on this EP. The piano makes rare forays to the surface, becoming prominent only here or there after the first song, but the eccentric little dance it plays at the end of You Love it Loud is a delight. I would say that it was the crucial instrument on this album, but that would be insulting to everything else. The gentle rhythm of the shaky egg and acoustic guitar in tandem is really nicely done too, and the organ is just as carefully used, which makes for a really well-balanced recording, in my opinion.

If there’s one thing I have to say about this it’s that I’m really surprised it’s being given away for free. Add a nice hand-printed sleeve, and this is easily worth five pounds to anyone. It may not be insistent or aggressive, but it’s really good stuff, and manages to be a lot more effortless than a great many other bands who are a good bit more famous. This is one of those records, much like Every Rival, which just exudes confidence and solace, the kind of comfort which waits for the hysteria to die down and then quietly steps in a sorts you out when you most need it.

Jon himself will be visiting Edinburgh around New Year, so if anyone would be able to book a live performance, I think that would be a really good idea. I’d do it myself, but Mrs. Toad and I will be away unfortunately.