What's Up! Magazine

This split release from two of Bellingham’s premier experimental/noise rock outfits took me by complete surprise. Untitled features four songs by both the blossoming duo Bluebird and the solo efforts of A Locket. I was lulled into a 28-minute trance, with the soundtrack of synthesizers, overdubbed and subdued guitar parts and punctuating drums.

Bluebird continues to spread the musical wings on their half of this split EP. Their first track begins with heavy breathing, synth and a constant kick drum keeping time along with the unidentifiable noises flowing in and out of the background. With random drum fills and crashes the guitars somehow sound like a flock of birds, and you have the Bluebird sound. It’s a bit chaotic, yet structured.

Both bands have a sound reminiscent of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mt. Eerie, and Casiotone For The Painfully Alone. The vocals maintain the warbled styles of Modest Mouse and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, with a simpler and distorted sound.

A Locket employs varied instruments to produce the constant hum of god knows what for background noise with melodic and simple xylophone and keyboard. Track three begins with the xylophone and switches gears halfway through to a deeper vocal sound and an accordion to accompany.

These two bands have a sound that compliment one another, while maintaining a sound (to the careful listener) distinctly their own. This EP could not flow any more seamlessly. The songs are complimented by off kilter loops and riffs, build-ups and herky jerky drum parts and ringing telephones. With a beautiful hand-sewn album cover, this is an EP that deserves some attention.

Released on: Boner Kill Records
For more visit: myspace.com/pukinpatty and myspace.com/alocket