Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Pop

Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop

The Birthday Machine — Direction & Destination 7" Buy it at Amazon

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When I first began listening to this, to be honest I didn`t expect much. Crammed in between two other releases on a 3-album-in-1 advance, I just naturally expected for it to be the weakest material found within and that the placement reflected this. Normally bands that have trouble carrying their own will be surrounded by other, more remarkable bands in the hope that the accompanying excellence will rub off on the music itself, yet instead The Birthday Machine offer up the most vivid indie rock found on here, and make an argument that they deserve to have their name announced from every mountain-top in the country. "Take notice, The Birthday Machine are REALLY fucking good!". The music found on their fledgling 7" is bare-boned and melodically delicate, whimsical and oppressively romantic to a fault. Their press bio. claims the band have a history for baking cakes and giving group hugs, and given the four songs offered here that`s readily imaginable. The Birthday Machine`s music is mostly harmless, simply meant to touch the listener with beautiful instrumentation sprinkled ever so lightly as to effectively insinuate itself into your subconscious without overpowering your senses. Miko Hoffman`s gentle allure accentuates songs with feminine sensitivity. "The Birthday Machine" is a glistening example of just how sincere the band can get, as Hoffman sadly states "I will try to love you less because it`s not the same for you" and no matter what you may feel, it`s hard to not be affected in some way. Stefan Udell weighs in with his sullen enunciation on "Victory Chords", a song that never ceases it`s tease of explosive musical dynamics. The song continuously builds up to an emphatic crescendo that never appears, and while The Birthday Machine comply with a heightened musical aggression, this song excels simply from remaining docile even in the face of intensity. It is curious that this track is the shortest, yet Udell holds his own and leaves you wondering where he could go next if given more time. The record`s title track is more formulaic in it`s direction, supplying the uplifting chorus progression you normally expect from a group like this, yet the background harmonies and tremendous build make this the group`s most accomplished track. "Closet Superhero" is an entertaining remix courtesy of Cowbell, and the sparse guitar melodies and multi-layered vocal echoes are at once haunting and filled with a spastic beauty. This medium works fabulously for The Birthday Machine, and should be utilized to a fuller extent on future releases. It`s always nice to be completely floored by an album you sort of expect to be mediocre at best, yet I admit when my first assumptions hold no weight. The Birthday Machine have won me over with their compelling, breezy indie rock style, and anyone in the underground rock scene who indulges on 7" releases should definitely give them a chance.

- LochnessPimpster

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