Scarlet Tanager’s American Songbird [7.4]

Zipcode – Scarlet Tanager

Zipcode (Version II) – Scarlet Tanager

I fell in love with American Songbird, the debut from St. Louis-based Scarlet Tanager (@scarletanager), almost instantaneously. Rapturous in nature, this indie-pop album contains elements of thoughtfully placed polyphonies, memorable choruses, and highly organic instrumentation. Most of the tracks are fairly upbeat, but even the more mellow elements exude brightness. American Songbird is both eclectic and unified, which is admirable in any album and even more so in a debut.

Incorporating plenty of snaps, handclaps, whistles, stomps, yells and choir-inspired harmonies, American Songbird delivers an impromptu, casual kind of vibe. The use of trumpet, toy piano, marching band drums and organs contribute a ton of flavour to the music as well. Add soulfully carefree vocals to the stack and you have the culmination of something blissfully unique.

The album opens with an ideal trinity of tunes. My favourite track is the opener, “Love Birds of the Dawn”, a light-hearted song that is sweet enough to induce a sugar high sans the sucrose. Rolling next into “Flags in the Parade” via an adolescent love chant, lead singer Susan Logsdon’s vocal strength is highlighted beautifully along a foundation of clapping rhythm, drums and trumpet. The following song, “Tumbleweed”, is another favourite of mine, namely for it’s memorable staccato melody, full-bodied chorus, and wide vocal ranges.

“Zipcode”, “Bum Bum Bum”, as well as a few others, carry on that energetic live gig feel that Scarlet Tanager skillfully executes, while songs like the graceful “Knives and Swords” and evocative “Baby Bunting” slow things down a bit, providing balance to the lighter songs. All in all, American Songbird proves to be a solid album from a band with incredible potential.