The sounds of winter just got a little more minimalist.
Portland shoegaze (no ocular evidence thus far has proven this allocation false) trio Mimicking Birds will be releasing their self-titled debut album on Isaac Brock’s Glacial Pace Recordings on February 9th, after spending most of 2009 either hunkered down in Brock’s Glacial Pace home studio, opening for Modest Mouse on a mondo U.S. tour, or touring again with Blind Pilot. They’ve been very busy, and their deeds do not go unnoticed.
Mimicking Birds started out as a solo project for Lacy under the moniker Neight, but has since recruited the efforts of childhood friends Tim Skellenger on guitar, and Aaron Hanson on drums.
The band recently enjoyed some huge shows opening for Modest Mouse during MusicFest NW 2009, and have slowly, but steadily ascended the stairwell of northwestern taste-making.
There’s a sneak peek of Mimicking Birds’ tracks on the Glacial Pace Web site, including "Burning Stars," a lovely, sweeping ballad espousing a more focused detail to resonance, as well as sonic aural aesthetics. It’s a slightly folkier take on the group’s ethereal soundscapes, and it’s a great sign that this album could be the soundtrack to your winter malaise.
Thumbs WAY up to "The Loop" while we’re at it. The quality of the recording, and the looping, repeated acoustic riffing of OG Bird Nate Lacy make for a disarming listen.
– Ryan J. Prado