The Mynabirds - What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

Singer/songwriter Laura Bernhem joined up with producer/instrumentalist Richard Swift last year to form The Mynabirds. Together they've created What We Lose In the Fire We Gain in the Flood (April 27, Saddle Creek), a retro-styled collaborative debut that has echoes of another famous pairing: Welsh singer Aimee Duffy and producer Bernard Butler for the monstrously successful '08 album Rockferry. Both Bernhem and Duffy have a fondness for classic R+B tinged girl-group pop, 60's blond 'do's and distinctive, neo-Dusty voices (though Bernhem's doesn't go for the exaggerated pouty edge that Duffy perfects). The Mynahbirds sound has been described as "nodding to gospel and garage" and Fire/Flood does indeed explore that classic mix, looking to find that self-described "Neil Young doing Motown" sound. The aspirations here are modest -- and we're not looking at a breakout work on a par with Rockferry or the Amy Winehouse arc -- but this is an album that feels comfortable, loose and spirited.

As with any highly stylized-sounding album, the fear is that the revivalist trappings will overly dominate. Fortunately, Bernhem's songwriting skills give the debut substantial legs to stand on independent of the time-travel production. Lead track "Numbers Don't Lie", a sly and soulful song that manages to make a big sound feel completely accessible, sets the tone but it's "L.A. Rain" that really tugs on the proverbial sleeve: a rumbling, rambling bass line, classic backbeat guitar riff and killer chorus hook converge for an exceptionally skin-tight fit. Recommended.

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The Mynabirds - "L.A. Rain" (from the album What We Lose in the Fire, We Gain in the Flood)

The Mynabirds - "Numbers Don't Lie" (from the album What We Lose in the Fire, We Gain in the Flood)

Comments

[L3tter13]

This is wonderful. Thank you