Blackbird Raum
Destroying
LP/CD/Download
Silver Sprocket
The songs may be longer on punkfolks Blackbird Raum’s Destroying but the band can still write some absolute barnstormers. If the opening track (“Whitebled”) doesn’t knock you down, you’re sure to be walloped by “Grist Mill”. Even my favorite track on the album, “Last Legs”, builds into a fury.
You can just hear an audience screaming parts of the songs back at the band with equal energy and anguish: DESTROYING! LAST LEGS!
There’s no doubt that the band still writes from a heart formed of dissatisfaction and defiance.
But Blackbird Raum isn’t satisfied by what they’ve done, they’re searching for what they can do. As such they have the bravery to be influenced by others.
On their last outing, the stunning False Weavers, hints of post-modern psychedelia poked through the cracks. This time around they deftly work in elements celtic folk, proving that there is still much to explore in the genre. Check out the haunting “The Man in the Bog” and the minimalist and grim “Adder”.
Speaking of grim, Blackbird Raum proves that they don’t have to be loud to get in your face. The album closes with darkly moving anti-gospel of “All That Praises”.
Despite the liner notes’ claim that “no electricity was used the the making of this album” the production is really quite grand. Despite the variety and multitude of instruments flurrying about in each track, everything still comes through clean and clear.
The album artwork is stunning (and reminds me why I buy LPs when I can). Kudos to illustrator Angela Rizza.
When I received Destroying I played it over and over again, not really listening to anything else for a week.
The last time I did that was… well when I received their previous collection, False Weavers.
As such Destroying by Blackbird Raum comes Highly Recommended.
Blackbird Raum: http://www.blackbirdraum.net/
Silver Sprocket: http://store.silversprocket.net/collections/blackbirdraum