Birdland seemed to be completely forgotten about now, but in their day they were the great white hopes of the Indie generation. They lasted about 2 short years and delivered a couple of brilliant singles – “Hollow Heart” and “Paradise” and their live shows apparently were up there with the Mary Chain at their height. Their album was less well received by the music press who by the time it was released seemed bored with them. It’s unfortunate because I really enjoyed the album and looking back on it now it still is holds up pretty well. If I recall the early version of Manic Street Preachers basically ripped off their sound and ended up being huge – give this one a chance – I am not ashamed of loving it! If you like you music fast with some brilliant riffs then Birdland may be for you! (Hollow Heart – still ranks as one of the all time great independent singles imo)01. Shoot You Down
02. Sleep With Me
03. Don’t Look Back
04. Wake Up Dreaming
05. Rock N Roll Nigger
06. Everybody Needs Somebody
07. Letter You Know
08. Beat Me Like A Star
09. She Belongs To Me
10. Exit
11. Paradise
12. White
13. Hollow Heart / Crystal / Gotta Gettaway
http://rapidshare.com/files/30035188/1990_Birdland__Full_Length_.rar
13 comments:
Hellos hellos. Great Birdland record. Hard to find, but even harder is "Paradise: The Anthology", from these guys. could you dig it and post it?
Thanx
I wish I could but unfortunately I don't have the Anthology - if anyone has it drop me a line - would like the extras.
hiya,
On the positive side i have the paradise anthology and happy to get you the extra tracks, on the negative I've recently moved so it's in a box somewhere, should be able to get it to you in a week or so if that's any good?
I agree with you Garrett, Birdland was a cracking album and the band had a raw energy which only comes through if it is played loud!!
Thanks, great post.
Thanks Explodingboy - that would be brilliant - I had an LP of theirs called Kamikaze Kids which was a bootleg of sorts - noticed some of that is on the anthology so if you get a chance a copy would be gratefully received sir!
Agree Simon - listened to this album driving today - forgot how good it was especially "Exit" - it' the Purple Rain of indie :)
Burned for the car tomorrow!!
Listening to this reminded me of Compulsion. Another great band that were overlooked.
I was thinking of posting a Compulsion album actually - "Future Is Medium" is one of my favourites
Garrett, couldn't believe my eyes and ears there! 'Everybody needs somebody', now that is rolling back the years! Class stuff, keep it flowing.
T-Bone.
Caught them topping the bill with Carter the Unstoppable supporting many many moons ago.
Been thinking about upping the Sleep With Me 12" for a while now but never got round to it . . .
Sleep With Me 12" - brilliant - I had the 7" little box set type of thing which is sadly missing in action!
Micky T - brings back some memories my man!
You know, I had completely forgotton about this band, thanks!
Bloody hell! A million thanks for this! I lost the CD & man it was such a pain trying to find a replacement, so many many thanks!
Anyway, the CD version I had (a US press, I think) got a different cover, with band covered in a US flag much similar to MC5. And the version of "Hollow Heart" on that CD has a fade-out ending (which frustrated me as the version I heard on the Gigantic 2 compilation has a better ending that had the singer shouting "Hey you!"). I wonder if the ending on this download is the same?
BTW, I love your blog! Brings back so many memories...
THanks KidG - the version on this album has Hollow Heart blended into Crystal which is the "Hey You" start - it is the "proper" released version of the tune - I believe it was faded out for compilation and 7" purposes. Thanks for the feedback!
BTW: I believe the CD is the UK version - I remember the american flag one also - MC5 were a bloody brilliant band!!!
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