TEENBIRD UNLEASHES AMBITIOUS COVER ALBUM ‘BEAUTY OF THE WISDOM’
Cover albums are contentious; they often feel like imitation rather than creative exploration. However, some cover bands give it their best shot out of pure determination. Such is the case for Teenbird, who’s cover album, Beauty of the Wisdom, earnestly pays homage to rock greats like Journey. Their passion for the music shows through in each note, articulating unbridled love for the music instead of creative stagnancy. Sure, it’s a cover record, but it’s a fantastic one from start to finish. There are some crowd pleasers and some deeper cuts, ample material for a solid set beyond your local dive bar. Teenbird has, seemingly, found what makes them confident, not just comfortable, by honoring this specific era of rock n’ roll. Moreover, this is just the next step for Teenbird before they release an LP full of originals. They’re just getting their feet wet, and they’re doing an amazing job already.
Impressively, Teenbird threw in a sole original track—the title track. “Beauty of the Wisdom” fits in perfectly with their chosen era of rock music, blending in seamlessly with the rest of its contents. Of course, many of these songs are iconic pop culture staples. Teenbird had big shoes to fill sneaking in an original, but they did so confidently, as they should. The song gives more than a brief glimpse into Teenbird’s world, full of 80s big hair and stadium-loud guitars. These elements have soundtracked my life, and it’s comforting to hear them reimagined. However, what’s most impressive is how the group’s take on the genre doesn’t feel antiquated. Instead, they managed to put their own voice into something so recognizable. Their covers to originals trajectory therefore makes sense, especially as they prove that there’s more to UNcover within the genre.
Of course, the crowd pleasers are phenomenal, engaging additions to the cover album. Come on, it’s a Journey cover; people will be dancing drunkenly across the board. Still, Teenbird’s rendition may be on-the-nose, but lead vocals and guitar styles sound distinctive enough to differentiate it from the original studio recording. The lead vocals are undeniably impressive, with a massive range encompassing both the lower and higher end of the track. It’s an ambitious cover due to its cultural impact. The band’s commitment to it makes the cover stand out above all else, especially as they continue that momentum throughout the rest of the LP. Everyone has their moment, whether that’s the producers in the studio or the artists jamming.
Notably, Teenbird has selected covers by the same artists throughout the record. There’s a few by Fleetwood Mac, a few by Journey, and a few by Van Halen. One thing I would have liked to see is, perhaps, a bit more variety. While they have a prominent signature sound that leans heavily on this era of music, there is a bit to be desired when the same artists are pulled from their repetoire in the same body of work. For example, they could have done some Motley Crue, an adjacent nod to the time that creatively challenges them. Clearly, the group has some serious chops, rivaling the artists they’re tributing. They have kernels of inspiration spirnkled throughout, but they may feel more comfortable pushing the envelope by the time their next LP drops.
For example, “Staying In Black” is the standout track within the LP. It encapsulates everything the band is good at; their vocal performance and energetic musicianship position them at the forefront of their chosen scene. However, the real magic lies within their ability to push beyond typical 80s conventions while staying in familiar territory. This mashup may be daring, but it works because the artists have expertly studied their source material. Essentially, the group has found that “Back In Black” works well with “StayingAlive,” which I doubt other artists have even considered. Who else has paired AC/DC with The Bee Gees? These kinds of happy accidents are typicallyl the result of “playing” music. Often, we forget that music is “play.” We’re supposed to be having fun with it, experimenting with the number of sounds we can combine. Teenbird has achieved exactly this; their daring mashup has been stuck in my head since I listened to it for the first time.
Consequently, these strokes of genius are exactly what makes their full-length original debut highly anticipatory. If they can do this much with pre-existing material, imagine their creative inginuity when it’s entirely formed from creative collaboration. The group sonically resonates with each other on personal levels. There is a sense of camradarie found within each cover, even if it’s a known track. Sometimes, artists’ enjoyment is crucial to establishing a dedicated fanbase. People on the other side of a barricade or dancefloor can tell when someone isn’t passionate about what they’re doing. This isn’t the case for Teenbird. Their expert musicianship, from drums to bass to vocals, could only have been formed out of genuine, unbridled passion—a refreshing treat in an overly-commodified music industry.
Don’t put Beauty of the Wisdom on the shelf just because it’s primarily covers.
They’re much better than your local divebar band.
Give it a chance.