If there was a New York City Birdmonster fan club, I'm pretty sure I'd be president. Or maybe secretary, because my teachers always said that I had wonderful handwriting, but that is besides the point. The fact is, I really like this band. I've told the story far too many times for even my own ears, but ever since they sent me that first EP it was magic. Finally! I said—there is a band that is trying to do something different. To make a long story short, I begged them to come out to the East Coast and booked their first NYC show. But that was almost two years ago now, and after a long hiatus, the Cali foursome arrived back in our town for an early, free show at Mercury Lounge.

I had many a hesitations before going to see the band play. After such a long time, my own musical taste has evolved and I wondered whether or not the band and I still see (or hear) ear-to-ear. And, as much as I have changed, the band has been cooped up working on their second album (out in August via FADER) and naturally has fine-tuned their own songwriting and reevaluated their music. As much hesitation as I felt before the show, I feel even more so now, because I fear I have made that classic mistake of befriending the rock stars, and thus influencing my bias as a critic. So I use that apprehension to both of our benefits, and give them (and you) the advantage of a true review, one that doesn't let personal ties interfere.

The word that immediately came to mind as I walked out of Mercury Lounge last night was different. The Birdmonster shows I remember were sweat-filled rowdy sessions of screaming out lyrics and running into each other. Starting off the show with a slowed-down song was pretty adventurous for the band, who have been blogger darlings for their notorious live performances. As the night went on I tried to understand why I wasn't feeling the same energy I felt way back when. Was it because they were playing all new songs? Perhaps. I'm always one who likes to sing along, but still I felt honored to hear some of the new material first hand. Was it the crowd? Sure, New York doesn't have the most inviting audience, but surprisingly the early show's attendees (consisting of mostly industry-types) were polite and at times even looked like they were having a good time. So while I tapped my feet and tried to play along, I searched for the reason why it all didn't feel quite right.

How does one band create a truly original sound? I'm not quite sure, but some (I won't name names to save time and space) have done just that, and most have been lucky to receive the accolades they deserve. When I first heard Birdmonster chiming out of my computer speakers back in 2005, I felt that they had created something pretty darn close. Sure, some of the influences were obvious, but each song had its own flair, with a cohesive energy to tie them together. I've come to the conclusion that the new material the band showcased last night will sound better on record, and that it just didn't work for me in a live setting. The obvious Springsteen-esque vocals with a more rowdy indie rock backing felt detached, and forced, with the band's energy on stage unmatched to the safer melodies heard. Perhaps, like most bands, they just need to figure out what the transition is from the "old" Birdmonster we have all come to know and love, to the "new" Birdmonster they seem so inherently proud of. Perhaps we just haven't seen them for so long we, as an audience, didn't feel the same connection we once found familiar, and inviting. With that said, the band seems confident of their direction, I just hope they can figure out a way to get us there, too.