The Wooden Birds

If the American Analog Set had an older, more mature cousin, it would be the Wooden Birds. It's Andrew Kenny's new brainchild, so don't be surprised if you recognize the similarities in the songwriting. The sparse, dreamy sound of AmAnSet pervades Magnolia but it's not a hindrance. Kenny builds on it so we're given a 38 minute lullaby of rich harmonies (with Leslie Sisson's assistance) backed by layers of percussion. Each plucked note is crisp like the crunch of autumn leaves beneath footsteps. The vocals have a instrumental role versus a storyteller. And did I mention the harmonies? These are twelve tightly wounded songs; what more do you need?

The stand out track for me is "Seven Seventeen," which musically seemed like a cute song. Until I looked at the lyrics and realized that I now have a favorite song about pedophilia. Oh, young romance and your statutory age laws. But really, take the song from a rose-tinted glasses view and assume it's about meeting cute. Instead of my dark, To Catch a Predator stance.

They're currently on tour with Great Lake Swimmers, who I believe everyone should also check out. In the meanwhile, here's a video for "Hometown Fantasies":