Fixed Hearts

iTunes Review

Oakland, California’s the Bye Bye Blackbirds comprise members of Overwhelming Colorfast, Yuji Oniki, Samiam, and The Mr. T Experience to braid bygone power-pop into contemporary indie-rock. The end result falls somewhere between early Tom Petty and modern-day Teenage Fanclub with a hearty dash of the band’s own quirky tone. “Elizabeth Park” introduces the band’s third studio album like Dwight Twilley playing with the Byrds as airtight vocal harmonies crystallize over chiming 12-string guitars while lead singer Bradley Skaught paints lyrical portraits of a small California neighborhood. “New River Sunset” opens with a minimal acoustic- based backdrop to make room for panoramic harmonies and some of that early-‘70s-tinged twang found resonating in the Los Angelino canyons of yore. Displaying equal love for the romanticism of ‘60s British invasion with the punch of ‘80s Elvis Costello, “Kiss the World” is a catchy standout. Throughout Fixed Hearts, producer Paul Tyler’s mix nicely contrasts warm vintage sounds with a crisp and upfront presence making the album sound clean, bright and open.