Songs About Birds is a memorable album from Mattock, who show a consuming blend of twangy Americana and heartfelt rock invigoration. The project is led by guitarist and songwriter Casey Brandt (Satirius Johnson, Cactus Rex) and drummer Jason Fletcher (Anomic, Sloburn Shift). They formed Mattock in the summer of 2022, and have drawn praise for their sound since then — showcasing Brandt’s riveting songwriting and Fletcher’s dynamic rhythmic talents, both culminating from years of experience and mutual reverence for classic rock. This love for throwback rock also pairs with an eclectic embrace for everything from punk and reggae to grunge and hardcore.
Opening track “Every Ghost” shows the group’s knack for momentum well, pairing debonair guitar jangles with a moody vocal presence — asking if they “could still return,” with ample intrigue as twangy guitars and steady percussion infuse seamlessly. “Three Cars” is another standout, unleashing a brisker vein of rock with a bluesy ardency in the mid-point guitar work especially. A balanced range of introspection and hooky immediacy enamors throughout the album’s production.
A fuzzy rock entrancement also immerses on “Crow,” where sporadic vocals build enjoyably within clamoring percussion and fuzzy guitar warmness. “Ashley Motel” also impresses, suave in its vocal delivery and doses of blistering guitar distortion between moments of haunting spaciousness. Presenting a stirring display of songwriting and musicianship from Brandt and Fletcher, Songs About Birds is a replay-inducing success from Mattock.
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“Three Cars” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
