Release Date: April 27, 2010
Reviewed by Chris Johnston
Omaha, Nebraska, not exactly the music epicenter of the USA. The Mynabirds, however, are making a name for the city. ‘What We Lose In the Fire We Gain In the Flood’ provides a strong case for songstress Laura Burhenn. Recorded by only her and singer-songwriter/producer Richard Swift, this is a hearty debut.
Chock full of Gospel tinge and soulful writing with a splash of R&B, it’s a great combo. The most unique aspect of this album is the way it sounds. You kind of feel like you were there when it was recorded. It’s a stripped, fresh sound. The music is easy enough to understand that it’s attractive to just about anyone. Opening jam, “What We Gained In The Fire” gives you an idea of what Laura is all about. Sultry vocals and classic craftsmanship. You’ll feel a nostalgia with this music because of the throwback elements. “Numbers Don’t Lie” gives you an up-beat picture of the band, with the slightly-out-of-tune-but-perfectly-played piano leading the instrumentation, as it does on most of the songs. And that element, more than anything else, is why you’ll get a personal feeling to the record. The piano is just….perfect. Perfect for what the music is. Jazzy percussion and bossa nova guitar compliment it nicely and don’t out-do Burhenn’s voice, which is easily the main event here. The only downside to the LP is the lyrical content.
If you’re looking for some ground-breaking lyrics that will make you think about your life in a new way, this is not what you’d want to pick up. But, as I said, that is the ONLY downside. It’s a great album, to say the least. And I surely hope to see and hear more of The Mynabirds as the years go by.
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