A Bird In The Hand
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The inimitable vocalist Zack Foley brings along Ryan Ferreira and Chris Tordini to these highly iconoclastic and unclassifiable pieces.
“Nooch Lady” opens the listen with soft vocals and warm guitar that flows with plenty of unpredictable ambience, and “A Bird In The Hand (Is Worth Two In The Bush)” follows with a reflective mood that floats across waves of intimacy.
“Flavor Heat” and “Bodo Beya” land in the middle, with the former emitting both beauty and mystery thanks to the gripping, wordless vocals and chilling effects, while the latter is populated by minimalistic ideas that balance a cozy demeanor and experimental prowess.
The best track resides near the end, where “Outward” uses live processing from Ferreira for the fully improvised finish of exploration and mesmerizing gestures.
A listen that began as playing around with guitar effects that turned into fuzz, reverb and delays, the addition of Ferreira’s guitar, mixing and H9000 and Tordini’s bass helps cultivate a truly genre defying and exciting listen that you’re not going to hear anywhere else.
Travels well with: Emily Kuhn- Ghosts Of Us; Robbie Lee & Lea Bertucci- Winds Bells Falls