Buried Birds – Pink Lions.

• Label: Self-Released.
• Year: 2009
• Style: Experimental Folk-Pop.
• Format: CDR.
• Note:
• Score: 82%

The big 2009 spring surprise came from BURIED BIRDS. I found their second release ”Pink Lions” in the mail box without even knowing about its presence. In 2006 they released their debut mini album ”Empty Lake of Sanity” and I have my review of that one published. That one had four tracks. ”Pink Lions” has a total of 8. Furthermore, the sound’s been enriched by a wider instrumentation, for example a viola and flute player has joined the band. Apart from this, things are quite familiar, only more more more and better better better!
In ”Empty Lake of Sanity” BURIED BIRDS really found their own unique sound by combining electronic pop with industrial, darkwave and neofolk. The concept has been drawn further into the dark tunnel and we’re now facing not just a band with an original sound, but also a band with an original sound that could, probably, sell their album to anyone that fancy any kind of dark and alternative music. I know I wrote the same in the ”Empty Lake of Sanity” review but this time, it feels so much more true. I mean. What do we have here now? An intro that is pretty much soaring and deranged strings. The second track approaches with a more poppy smell, driven forward by neat keyboards and pounding electronic drums.
U-turn again, ”Nothing” is a pure, acoustic folk ballad. Quite different from the folky experiments on the previous album, this one consists of exemplary guitar plucking backed up by murky string work.
The acoustic guitar remains the star for a while, ”Unexpected” is a powerful guitar driven pop song with the best chorus line I’ve heard in a long time, and overall, this one sounds pretty much like something out of ”Empty Lake of Sanity” with the addition of viola.

”Mother of the Moment” sneaks up, to begin with quite shy with a simple beat and keyboard. Soon, you’re standing in the middle of, what could be, BURIED BIRDS best song so far with a modern sound where a simple, brooding piano melody in harmony with interesting keyboard sounds create a most emotional and excellent entity to remember and think about. This is for sure the top of the album and after it, things are slowly descending for a while… ”Stone” isn’t very interesting, apart from the lyrics it’s quite unremarkable with its minimal electro sound.
”Advice” is nice but it could have been even nicer if the guitars, the vocals, the drums and the atmospheres clashed better. I get the feeling that the band tried to push in as much as possible in one track which in itself isn’t a bad idea, but a little more consideration would have helped this one. Still, a catchy song where the rule cheerful melody / cheerless lyrics works fine.

The final song is called ”Heart” and it is again an alright song. Flute, viola, vocals. Has some nice moments, especially the flutes are awesome and it works fine as outro but personally, I think a slightly slower tempo would have made it even better.

So, listening to ”Pink Lions” is for sure a bewildered experience with lots and lots of unexpected turns. Pop music, orchestral music, folk music, electronic music, dark music, bright music – you name it. All is though perfectly bound together by Chris’ distinctive and rather sad voice, and his lyrics that seem to exploit an existence in endless desperation, isolation and loss.
The music is nearly flawless, apart from some mixing work, and utterly unique without being ”complicated” or ”difficult” to get into. Experimental? Yes. But not it’s not experimented asunder at any time.
Obey Markus’ ordination! Pick up a copy of ”Pink Lions” right away and support the very underground. I’ve said it before (two times actually) but one more time around couldn’t hurt; BURIED BIRDS should appeal to you, whatever you’re usually listening to. And they’re great musicians as well.