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KZSU's article on Dancing On A'A
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BIRDSONGS OF THE MESOZOIC: Dancing on A'A (Cuneiform) The Boston-based Birdsongs have revamped their lineup and moved slightly to the right ... left ... somewhere, but they have moved. Whereas their old sound tended toward circular or spiral keyboard patterns, this new material moves along intersecting straight lines, creating angular melodies as well as a good amount of dissonance. The new members being a guitarist, a flute and sax player, the music has sharper edges and ventures much farther into jazz and rock territory but retains its base in the modern classical use of repetition. A few cuts maintain the old song patterns but use the new instrumentation for a fresh sound. This album is easy to listen to because the songs sound composed even when they move in unpredictable directions, whereas improvised music is often a difficult listen. A good reference point might be "Gravity"-era Fred Frith. The traditional silly-cover-song role is filled here by a slightly cheesy rendition of "Peter Gunn". (Gabe)