Defender

iTunes Review

Bird of Youth, a.k.a. Atlanta-bred, Brooklyn-based songwriter Beth Wawerna, plays cheerful folk-pop that’s reminiscent of Neko Case but with a heavier ‘60s influence. Her plaintive vocals and straightforward melodies make songs such as “Right On Red,” “When My Wings Hit the Shed” and “The Great Defender” sound so natural and easeful that it’s a wonder that they’ve only been written now. After checking the credits to ascertain these aren’t long lost pop songs, the pleasure is an interesting balance of the past and present. “Sex, Blood & Fire” is a haunting ballad, sparked by double-tracked vocals inspired by the sounds of Marianne Faithfull’s work in the ‘60s. “Bombs Away, She Is Here to Stay” adds a shimmering backup band to this illuminating pop tune. “The Sound of One Name Dropping” is a clever, sprawling rock tune. “Spearfish,” at nearly seven minutes, is a solid highlight, based on acoustic guitar with subtly added instruments as the tune builds in tension and drama.