Turkey The Bird is the greatest thing to come out of Taranaki since the Jurassic age, if not, at least since the great name of theSlacks who would have thought two magnificent specimens could co-exist in such hostile conditions. But this is about Turkey The Bird and their third album Men, Fish, Boat.
When I took on this assignment, I could already sense the poetry that would come forth from my mouth to the pen, or in this case, a dodgy looking laptop. I know this album is going to sound good, its Turkey The Bird, do I even need to listen? Surely, I could write glowing reviews without the hint of a chord being strum. This of course would create much consternation for myself, so I settled in on my favourite recliner with a bottle of the finest and waited for the creative juices to flow like a well fed Te Waipounamu river.
Man, I did not have to wait long. Lady Who, the first song, came springing into my lap like an unannounced dog that knows no bounds to its and others personal space. I was up and jigging without any signs of my early on set age related arthritis, the pain came later at the end of the album when I finally settled back down. There is something very harmonious about their music that words cannot describe the delight it brings to your soul and feet. Your heart lights up the darkest of moments without you even noticing. How can you turn on a light in the room if there is no switch? Play some Turkey The Bird.
Sophia Lauren the third song on the album, changes up the beat slightly, a nice vibe change that allows my age related issues to allow some light stretches but never not in time to the catchy harmonies and finger clicks that accompany such wonderfulness.
Much like an All Blacks vs Australia game, this album is always going to be a one sided victory for music and folk music in general. There are a lot of corking songs on this album, You And I brings the best of their sound with wishful harmonies to boot that make you feel or warm and fuzzy in your tum tum. Long Train caught my ear due to the experimental feel it has compared to the rest of the album, it has a very psychedelic vibe that makes it feel like it could have been made 60 years ag during the height of the hippie era. Smashing Through The Fences is just a happy delightful glass of freshly squeezed orange juice that just makes you happy to be alive and your listening devices still work.
Ever since I first heard this band back in a few years ago I was hooked on their fabulous folk fascination. I always knew this album would sound good, and having listened to all 13 songs, there was no point where I felt drained or the need to take a coffee break to recharge my senses. All the songs are easy to listen to, every summer BBQ should have this album playing in the background to help increase or even improve the joyous atmosphere. This album is well worth your time and effort to find and listen to.
Turkey The Bird is New Zealand's answer to 'Simon & Garfunkel' if '&' was a musician too.
Catchy folk songs with stunning rich melodies and effortless smooth lyrics. Songs that tell uplifting stories about love and life.