John Brodeur & Jason Faulkner – Bird Streets

Here’s one that somehow escaped me last year. Joined by Jason Faulkner of Jellyfish, John Brodeur released Bird Streets, one of 2018’s best power pop albums. It’s hooky, melodic stuff – and the guitars are awesome.

Thematically, “Carry Me” is all about moving forward, consequences be damned. And if you let that happen as a listener, you’re in for a treat. With a great melody, Falkner’s chiming guitars and handclaps, this one touches all the power pop bases.

The guitars are equally as brilliant on “Betting on the Sun” – and it’s a lyrical gem, too. “You’re so confident when the consequences are low. Betting on the sun to bail you out. In the morning light you’ll be set free.”

In my head, I can kind of hear Weezer performing “Direction”, another killer song. I bet Rivers Cuomo woulda loved to have sung this one. In the piano driven “Heal”, Brodeur makes some incredibly insightful observations about abusive relationships. “Sugar coated, if you will – but your no cure. You’re just another pill”. Brilliant.

Bird Streets was a Pledge Music project that included “exclusive content” if you pledged in advance of the release date. I wish I knew about it back then. Anyway, you can get the digital version of Bird Streets at John Brodeur’s Bandcamp page while the physical product (CD) is available from Kool Kat Musik.