BEAT OF THE MESOZOIC (EP)

I picked this EP up on vinyl recently because I happened to find it and remember hearing this band name associated with the beginning of the RIO musical movement which I am somewhat fond of. The cover was fairly intriguing as well, and so I brought it home and put it on. The music is very rhythm oriented, and with lots of violently melodic piano passages leading the way. What amazed me was how each song was very tight sounding, and how well the band members stuck together with their playing through such chaotic melodies. Also, the sampled drums or the drum machine on this sounds very fitting, and it interests me to see/hear bands that don't use an orthodox lineup for rock music (because this usually ends up being much much more than just rock music). If you're into RIO, though this album is short, it is certainly somewhat essential.

The mid nineteen eighties in Boston was a terrible time and place for good music. Punk and new wave were still getting most of the gigs in the clubs. Progressive bands, despite a huge college scene, including one of the top music schools in the country, were nowhere to be found. Except for one strange exception. Birdsongs of the Mesozoic played regularly in Cambridge, just down the street from where I worked in a record store. Their ability to get gigs probably was because two of their members were originally in Mission Of Burma, an extremely popular punk band.

Anyway, this EP perfectly captures the spirit and creativity of this bizarre chamber rock group. Blending RIO, electronic, classical, and just about any oddball sound they could find, Birdsongs created their own genre.

Highly recommended.