Looking for something to tweet about? The Birds of a Feather series has returned! (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) The latest pair of releases begins with Seaworthy‘s ode to the Rainbow Lorikeet, a curious, colorful and talkative parrot that was accidentally released into the wild in Western Australia and over the course of half a century has bullied its way to the top of the bird chain. On the one hand, it’s a completely obnoxious creature; on the other, it’s a beautifully plumed, natural work of art. Sydney’s Cameron Webb (Seaworthy) initially said of the chatty species, “The racket they make is akin to screaming gangs of teenagers running rampant through the local shopping centre on a sugar fuelled high”. Over time, Webb’s opinion warmed; after recording the birds, he called their teamed racket “a complex and textured wall of sound”.
Little of the expected dissonance is found on the 20-minute track, which is awash in thumb piano, guitar and drone. The human clickings are matched by avian clackings. Nature (rain) and humanity (automobiles) both intrude; through it all, the rainbow lorikeet continues to call and cry. As most residents of Sydney have come to understand (although not accept) the lorikeet has become part of the permanent environment. Such juxtaposed sounds have become common; there’s no extracting one from the other. Proving Seaworthy right, a flock of lorikeets descends like a drone in the late minutes, threatening to unhinge the entire project. Then one begins to enjoy their amassed tumult. The clear presence of the bird makes this one of the most effective entires in the Birds of a Feather series, as there’s no mistaking these cries. Brash they may be, but they’ve earned their place. The Rainbow Lorikeet is a testament to their tenacity. (Richard Allen)
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