Birdy: Birdy

Birdy
Birdy
Warner Bros. Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: 15 year old Birdy will surprise you with her soaring delivery and good taste in cover songs.

Album Review:
I could have easily let this record go by the way side but after hearing just a little bit of Birdy's cover of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" I was hooked. Birdy is actually 15 year old British singer Jasmine Van Den Bogaerde who was discovered at age 12 when she won the Open Mic UK in 2008. You would never guess her age by listening though because she has the strong vocals of a Fiona Apple or Adele as she makes each song on her self-titled debut soar.

With that intro you might wonder why the rating is so low but Birdy is mostly a covers record with 10 out of the 11 tracks not being her own. This takes away some from the album's creativeness in spite of her stellar voice. With that said I bet the common music listener could not identify at least half of this album as Birdy tackles songs by Phoenix, Fleet Foxes, The xx, The National, The Postal Service and Cherry Ghost to just name a few.

Her versions are fairly straightforward as they are mostly piano based and slowed down. This same style might wear on some listeners for the entire 44 minute running time but most of the tracks thrive under this arrangement and hold your interest. Her debut has been out in the UK since late last year but just released recently in the States release. Birdy also had a track appear on The Hunger Games soundtrack so I would believe that she only has one way to go at such a young age and talent - and that would be up.

Key Tracks: "Skinny Love", "Shelter", "White Winter Hymnal"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Fiona Apple
Charlotte Martin
Adele

Birdy Website
Birdy Facebook
Warner Bros. Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony