Hungry Bird

iTunes Review

Despite announcing the demise of Clem Snide in 2005 — a threat backed up by solo efforts in 2006 and 2008 by singer/guitarist/songwriter Eef Barzelay — the band is back with Hungry Bird, their sixth recording. The group’s lineup and overall sound has changed many times since the band formed in the early ‘90s, and this album showcases a hushed and delicate, yet still melodic side that features little of the twang they were once known for. The songwriting is strong and the album unfolds at a leisurely pace, leaving time and space to savor Barzelay’s wry, melancholy lyrics delivered in a plaintive, slightly whiney voice. Likewise, the arrangements are thoughtful and dynamic with many fine touches, like the twinkling piano of “Born a Man,” the trombone on “Hum,” the memorable snippets of banjo here and there, and the entirety of “Pray,” an eight-minute piece of delicate chamber pop that’s really several songs rolled into one. Whether Hungry Bird marks a permanent return for Clem Snide remains to be seen, but this charming and literate album is surely a return to form.