RADIO BIRDMAN - Zeno Beach LP

Highly recommended.

By the turn of the century, Radio Birdman was increasingly popular as a "legacy" band. Crowds were happy to hear their signature songs from the seventies and there were plenty of gigs. But the band wasn't satisfied. With a new drummer on board, they decided to write and record an album of all new original tracks.

The result was the 2006 album 'Zeno Beach'. The album explored uncharted territory, with more members writing songs, and the performances reflected the band's musical evolution.

Original band members Deniz Tek, Rob Younger, Pip Hoyle and Chris Masuak are joined by Jim Dickson on bass and You Am I's Russell Hopkinson on drums for what proves to be a virtually seamless transition from 1981's Living Eyes. So when Younger yells out "We've Come So Far (To Be Here Today)", it doesn't feel that long of a journey. And it was Younger who I feared for the most. Twenty-plus years can play havoc with a voice, but on tracks such as "Locked Out" and the old school punk of "Connected", it's easy to believe his vocals were recorded years ago in readiness for such a reunion. The adolescent, spit-in-your-eye passion is as forceful as ever and is as much an impetus to Radio Birdman's sound as the dual-guitar attack of Tek and Masuak. It's equally important not to underestimate the keyboards of Pip Hoyle. His adroit and unexpected fills are what lifts the band above the typical punk outfit and in that respect is somewhat reminiscent of Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers.

Zeno Beach, long out of print and unavailable, has now been remastered for a high quality vinyl release. Top notch cutting by master engineer Levi Seitz and the highest quality pressing at Third Man has resulted in the best possible presentation of Zeno Beach, heard now as never before.