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How do you follow up what was possibly one of the most talked-about Christian indie-rock albums of 2007?
Quite simply, by making it better; and that is exactly what Deas Vail has done with their latest
release, Birds & Cages. Originally on Mark Lee Townsend's indie label Brave New World, the band was recently
signed to Relient K-managed Mono vs Stereo, a wise move from the resurrected label.
The best way to describe Birds & Cages would be to not describe it at all and just play it. However,
I will try to do it limited justice by saying that it sounds like Mae and Coldplay were combined at a molecular level,
and then told to go indie. It's a sort of "piano-rock meets Death Cab For Cutie" sensibility, only with Christian morals
and ideals. The album itself is an improvement over their debut LP, though rather in a more "evolutionary" rather than
"revolutionary" sense. It's as if they sat down with their producer, said "OK, what can we take from our old album that
was good, and make even better?" However, this is not a letdown in the slightest, given the quality of their first
full-length album; therefore any improvements on it would only be for good. And in reality, it works like that.
The vocals are more coordinated, the guitars punchier, and the group as a whole just sound tighter. Songs like
"Excuses" and "Cages" are brilliant examples of this. I wouldn't say it's all sunshine and roses though, as a couple of
the tracks (such as "The Leaper") tend to lose the listener as they ramble on as though on a musical journey without
a map. Indeed, at times the entire album can feel a bit unpredictable. However, this doesn't detract overly from the
album, as most listeners who put in the effort will find it easy to get over Deas Vail's eccentricities and learn to be
accepting.
Deas Vail's latest masterpiece is eccentric, yet marvellous to behold. Not only that, but the songwriting continues
to improve; some may note more Christian references within this time around. Although not perfect (but then, what album
is?), Birds & Cages comes closer to it than its predecessor. I continue to be surprised by this under-hyped,
piano-rock indie band, and eagerly await their next release.
- Review date: 01/11/10, written by Adam Dawson of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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Since rejuvenating Mono Vs Stereo records, Relient K released their
sixth record on the label while also adding their first additional
artist to the record company, Deas Vail. In many ways Birds & Cages
holds true to Deas Vail's ambient pop-rock template which they laid
on their previous album, All The Houses Look The Same. But, small
changes have occurred, such as a slower tempo and a less sober tone
contained on last year's White Lights EP. While lead-singer Wes
Blaylock's high vocals are still somewhat of an acquired taste, his
voice does mix perfectly with the many organic sounding, indie songs.
The album opens with a strong, diverse collection of tunes ("Things
You Were", "Birds", and Cages") early before rounding out the project
with several terrific piano-packed indie ballads ("The Leaper" and
"Atlantis" are the highlights). And throughout the album are flawless
arrangements of violins and background vocals (including Matthew
Thiessen of Relient K). Deas Vail also offers a very
spiritually-minded album, and, while some lyrics are vague, there are
obvious messages pertaining to salvation and true freedom. The lone
drawback of one of the best albums of the year, Birds & Cages, is the
listener must give the album significant attention to get the most
out of Deas Vail's near flawless project.
- 12/2/09, Nathaniel Schexnayder of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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Record Label: Mono Vs. Stereo
