TODD FARRELL JR. & THE DIRTY BIRDS
''ALL OUR HEROES LIVE IN VANS''
OCTOBER 31 2013
33:58
1. Year in Review 04:05
2. Plastic Knives 03:22
3. Bobby & Chipper 03:27
4. Pawnshops 04:31
5. Liner Notes 02:53
6. Better Men 03:09
7. If It's Alright By You 03:40
8. Take it Slow 04:44
9. My Currency is Doubt 04:17
All songs written by Farrell except “If It’s Alright By You” written by
Farrell/Rhodes
Todd Farrell Jr. - Vocals, Guitar, Piano On 4
Eli Rhodes - Guitar, Harmonica On 9
Matt "Goose" Rewinski - Bass
Jack Whitis - Drums, Percussion, Programming On 5
Dan Fernandez - Steel Guitar On 7
REVIEW
By Chris Martin, Atlanta Live Music Examiner
With a die hard love of the Atlanta Braves that may only be surpassed by his passion for music, Todd Farrell Jr. has assembled the Dirty Birds and unleashed All Our Heroes Live In Vans (Heroes), an album loaded with guitar heavy southern tinged rock-n-roll music. Farrell wears his musical influences on his sleeve and when you hit play there is a lot familiar about his music and this familiarity is part of what makes the record so good.
With a damn fine solo record, Where Fake Cowboys Go To Drink, already under his belt the music savvy Farrell has enlisted a group of fellow Nashvillians and formed the Dirty Birds (I am guessing a nod to his beloved Atlanta Falcons) for the latest record. Showcasing his lyrical attributes, Heroes was written by Farrell but when it came to putting it to music it was a Dirty Birds group effort. The record kicks off with the jangly guitars of “Year In Review” then rolls through a batch of tunes about music, women, relationships and life in general. Women are at the forefront in, “Plastic Knives” and “Better Man” as they offer up two different stories of women who do not realize what they have. Farrell’s lyrics on “If It’s Alright By You” paint a vivid picture of a long distance relationship and the sparse “My Currency Is Doubt” depicts a life consumed with self doubt. Two previously released tunes find their way on the record. Reflecting on younger days, “Bobby and Chipper” is about a man who sees his childhood idols hanging it up and “Take It Slow” tells a tale of making the same bad choices over and over and is ready for a change. Probably the best tune of the bunch is “Pawnshops”. If you have ever been in a pawnshop, most are littered with guitars and other music instruments. This song is kind of an ode to musicians as Farrell sings about pawnshops that have birthed and ended many a musician. As he says in the song, “I think that dreams are bought and sold in pawnshops/it’s where they start and where they stop”
Todd Farrell & the Dirty Birds have delivered one of those albums that you just want to play over and over again as all the songs are catchy and the lyrics hook the listener and keep them listening. Creating metaphors for life using pawnshops, liner notes and currency the songs are an original take on subject matter that is not. Instead of the same old sorry, lonesome me, heartbreak songs the listener is treated to something different. While the same old over produced crap continues to get shoved down the collective throat of music listeners, it is talented performers like Farrell and crew that never get the attention deserved. Treat yourself to same mighty fine tunes by turning off the radio and cranking up All OurHeroes Live In Vans.
''ALL OUR HEROES LIVE IN VANS''
OCTOBER 31 2013
33:58
1. Year in Review 04:05
2. Plastic Knives 03:22
3. Bobby & Chipper 03:27
4. Pawnshops 04:31
5. Liner Notes 02:53
6. Better Men 03:09
7. If It's Alright By You 03:40
8. Take it Slow 04:44
9. My Currency is Doubt 04:17
All songs written by Farrell except “If It’s Alright By You” written by
Farrell/Rhodes
Todd Farrell Jr. - Vocals, Guitar, Piano On 4
Eli Rhodes - Guitar, Harmonica On 9
Matt "Goose" Rewinski - Bass
Jack Whitis - Drums, Percussion, Programming On 5
Dan Fernandez - Steel Guitar On 7
REVIEW
By Chris Martin, Atlanta Live Music Examiner
With a die hard love of the Atlanta Braves that may only be surpassed by his passion for music, Todd Farrell Jr. has assembled the Dirty Birds and unleashed All Our Heroes Live In Vans (Heroes), an album loaded with guitar heavy southern tinged rock-n-roll music. Farrell wears his musical influences on his sleeve and when you hit play there is a lot familiar about his music and this familiarity is part of what makes the record so good.
With a damn fine solo record, Where Fake Cowboys Go To Drink, already under his belt the music savvy Farrell has enlisted a group of fellow Nashvillians and formed the Dirty Birds (I am guessing a nod to his beloved Atlanta Falcons) for the latest record. Showcasing his lyrical attributes, Heroes was written by Farrell but when it came to putting it to music it was a Dirty Birds group effort. The record kicks off with the jangly guitars of “Year In Review” then rolls through a batch of tunes about music, women, relationships and life in general. Women are at the forefront in, “Plastic Knives” and “Better Man” as they offer up two different stories of women who do not realize what they have. Farrell’s lyrics on “If It’s Alright By You” paint a vivid picture of a long distance relationship and the sparse “My Currency Is Doubt” depicts a life consumed with self doubt. Two previously released tunes find their way on the record. Reflecting on younger days, “Bobby and Chipper” is about a man who sees his childhood idols hanging it up and “Take It Slow” tells a tale of making the same bad choices over and over and is ready for a change. Probably the best tune of the bunch is “Pawnshops”. If you have ever been in a pawnshop, most are littered with guitars and other music instruments. This song is kind of an ode to musicians as Farrell sings about pawnshops that have birthed and ended many a musician. As he says in the song, “I think that dreams are bought and sold in pawnshops/it’s where they start and where they stop”
Todd Farrell & the Dirty Birds have delivered one of those albums that you just want to play over and over again as all the songs are catchy and the lyrics hook the listener and keep them listening. Creating metaphors for life using pawnshops, liner notes and currency the songs are an original take on subject matter that is not. Instead of the same old sorry, lonesome me, heartbreak songs the listener is treated to something different. While the same old over produced crap continues to get shoved down the collective throat of music listeners, it is talented performers like Farrell and crew that never get the attention deserved. Treat yourself to same mighty fine tunes by turning off the radio and cranking up All OurHeroes Live In Vans.
