Bird of Youth’s 2011 debut Defender showcases lead singer/songwriter Beth Wawerna’s knack for rootsy, melodic, and heartfelt songs that are as much folk-pop as alt-rock. Produced by Phil Palazzolo along with Okkervil River’s Will Sheff, the album brings to mind such similarly inclined indie outfits as Rilo Kiley and the New Pornographers. In fact, Wawerna’s mid-range, conversational vocal style and knack for ’80s college rock and alt-country-influenced songs should draw some favorable comparison’s to the Pornographers’ own Neko Case. Tracks like the jaunty, midtempo anthem “When My Wings Hit the Shed” and the ’60s Brill Building-sounding “Bombs Away, She Is Here to Stay” have a bright and shambling pop/rock vibe, while other cuts like the jangly title track and the yearning ballad “Sex, Blood & Fire” are more on the country end of pop. Thoughtful and melodic, Defender is a low-key, well-crafted debut. – Matt Collar
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