It seems at first an unassuming full-length that Philadelphia contemplative rockers Dangerbird have come up with for Homestead (SRA Records), and on some levels it is. The music isn’t especially overbearing or heavy (at least for the most part), they don’t hammer home riff-based groove after groove, and the overall earthy feel of the music lends itself more to emotional warmth than to any kind of technical chill. There are sweet submelodies in the guitars and vocals, and though the back half of the record shifts tone significantly from the front, some semblance of flow is maintained.

The four-piece, which as of this recording was comprised of BJ Howze (guitar/vocals), Mouse Dascher (guitar/vocals), Joe Bats (bass, since replaced by Nick Conway) and Colin Smith (drums/vocals) first adapt ‘90s style indie rock into a droning or stoner feel, then take a turn toward Neil Young-esque organic guitar pieces beginning with “Snowed In,” track four of the total seven. “Frank,” “Alien+Cop” and the title track which precede it are heavier sound-wise. Even “Homestead,” which begins to display the directional adjustment the record is soon to take, keeps a heavy load of feedback and thick riffing. Nonetheless, it’s clear throughout Homestead that Dangerbird are children of the ‘90s alternative movement, and by that I don’t just mean grunge. There’s some of that teenage melodrama working its way into “Hiram,” but there’s nothing quite so postured about the band as to warrant any Seattle comparisons — except maybe their methodology for incorporating the aforementioned Neil Young influence, for which acts like Pearl Jam were well known in their beginnings.

Read more »