Zeno Beach : Radio Birdman : Review : Rolling Stone

Forget the old Eagles reunion joke: Hell has now truly frozen over. Radio Birdman -- the Aussie-American blitz-rock band that introduced punk to the South Pacific in the mid-Seventies, turned Sydney into Detroit Rock City with palm trees, then broke up in 1978 after hitting a brick wall of indifference overseas -- have made their first studio album in three decades and open their first American tour on August 30th. On top of those miracles, Zeno Beach -- which stars four of the six original Birdmen, including singer Rob Younger and Michigan-born guitarist Deniz Tek -- is as fast and fierce as the few, hugely influential records the band made in its first lifetime. Even then, Radio Birdman never played punk rock as Warped Tour bands now define it, instead creating a then-unprecedented attack music from surf music, Nuggets-style garage, the primal assault of the Stooges and the twin-guitar terror of Blue Oyster Cult. It is still a rare blend of gunpowders, and the rejuvenated Birdman pack fistfuls into "You Just Make It Worse," "Locked Up" and especially the opening resurrection bulletin, "We've Come So Far (to Be Here Today)." Few bands of any vintage can say that with a straight face. Radio Birdman play it like they never stopped.

DAVID FRICKE

(Posted: Aug 21, 2006)

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Review 1 of 2

3of 5 Stars

after the initial dissapointment of the first listen,i played living eyes, and the E.Ps. I am still dissapointed with this record, although there are some great tracks,like come so far,subdefuge, the album lacks the hit em again,I94,maelstrom,endzone feel of intensity. It almost sounds like a New Christs album(Rob,s) band,and even then,not as good as "Distemper"in my opinion the greatest rock album that never was! The guys still really kick it live,but for me Zeno Beach is a little dissapointing.I admit Zeno gets better with every listen,but heyday,die like april,and the brotherhood,hungry cannibals and zeno beach just dont cut it for me...but thats just my opinion,and you know what they say about opinions!

Aug 31, 2006 21:36:05

Review 2 of 2

5of 5 Stars

blew my mind man. Been waiting a long time for this to get made and to see Birdman in America. Forget all you learned about rock and roll in the last ten years. It's time start over again. There are going to be a lot of bands that will have to give up and pack it in. They don't have a chance

Aug 27, 2006 17:59:24

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