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Waxed - Record Review from Issue #59 Sept-Oct 2005

Erin McKeown

We Will Become Like Birds (Nettwerk)

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Erin McKeown’s reputation as an enchanting singer-songwriter had previously come with a cautionary asterisk, disclosing her ambitious and challenging genre-jumping. We Will Become Like Birds, co-produced with Tucker Martine, is her most cohesive album, yet it is in many ways her most adventurous as well. A concept album of sorts about a failing relationship, it’s dotted with piercing moments of struggle, pain and finality. But McKeown also uses metaphors of birds, flight and space to sprinkle in some hope and wonder. Musically, her lovely voice is the centerpiece, backed by a mostly electric band that understands the power of dynamics and the spaces between the notes. Standout tracks include “To The Stars”, “Float” and “Beautiful I Guess”, one of a handful co-written with Chris Keup.

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Originally Featured in Issue #59 Sept-Oct 2005

Cover of Issue #59 Sept-Oct 2005

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