11 Oct 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Oliver Birch - Album Review: To Remember

08 Feb 2024 // A review by Kerry MB

Auckland based musician, Oliver Birch is back with his second unveiling, the ten tracked album, To Remember.

Another slab of self-written, produced, mixed and performed by Oliver Birch and confirmed as a concept album about the coming of age, and the trials and tribulations that come along with it.

If you’re not familiar with Oliver Birch, he has a penchant for cross pollinating alternative music with hints of indie and pop, and a generous helping of experimental.

To Remember falls nicely between these lines and showcases Oliver’s talent as a lyricist that brings listeners on a journey that comes from the heart.

The title opening track nods its head to a feeling we can all relate to, the feeling of looking back on the past and the feeling of wanting to relive those experiences. It’s a beautiful number that is delicate and uplifting.

Further in, and a change of pace is an upbeat number, but one that makes you want to move named, In Twenty Somethings. Directly described as “most danceable” by Oliver himself in this conceptual journey, it plays out like a funky ethereal dream. Again, delicate, with pop sensibilities, but heavy on the indie funk with some nicely arranged and solid guitar riffs.

A Walk In The Dark follows a few songs later and is exactly as you might think. The familiar drunken walk home that so many have experienced and the thoughts that follow. It’s again an ethereal dream with some beautiful horn arrangements that add an extra layer of nostalgia.

In summary, To Remember is a sincere and delicate second helping from Oliver Birch that will awaken thoughts, dreams and memories of times past. If you’re a fan of the more alternative and indie with David Bowie persuasions, this one’s for you.

 

About Oliver Birch

Oliver Birch writes about existential angst, the gradual erosion of democracy, and having no friends. These concerns belie the varied, gorgeous, and hopeful instrumental palette utilised in his music, which covers several genres from new-wave, to jazz, to pop.

Every song is written, performed, and produced by Oliver, and each is a deeply personal offering that he shares hoping that others might find comfort in it.


Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Oliver Birch

Releases

To Remember
Year: 2024
Type: Album
Burning Daylight
Year: 2022
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Kerry MB

Shady Brain Farm - Album Review: ..Another Set Of Circumstances
26 Sep 2024 // by Kerry MB
Shady Brain Farm hail from North-West Auckland — specifically Kumeu, Waimauku, and Muriwai Beach — and has been making music together since 1997. The band, Ben Furniss lead vocals, guitar, and keyboards, Paul Taylor drums and backing vocals, and Chris Vaughan on bass and backing vocals are certainly no strangers to musical diversity and are back with a new album, ...
Read More...
Zed - Album Review: Future Memory
04 Sep 2024 // by Kerry MB
You know the name, and you know the sound of Zed, but did you know that here in 2024, the Christchurch icons are back with a new album? Because even though it has been 21 years, they never really stopped making music.
Read More...
Hadees Drudge - Album Review: The Mind Lies When The Soul Dies
01 Aug 2024 // by Kerry MB
Hadees Drudge is quite an anomaly in Wellington’s metal scene. Forgoing a second guitarist, they proudly rock one guitar in a genre where that’s almost unheard of.
Read More...
Thousand Limbs - Album Review: The Aurochs
16 Jul 2024 // by Kerry MB
Thousand Limbs has been on the scene now for a few years (since 2016) and have gained quite the following since, for their powerhouse of instrumental metal. Now, if you are also a fan of Kerretta and Nine Inch Nails then Thousand Limbs will be right up your alley.
Read More...
Crowded House - Album Review: Gravity Stairs
10 Jun 2024 // by Kerry MB
In a moment we’ve all been waiting for, Crowded House, who need no introduction have released their new album, Gravity Stairs. It’s only been a little over two years since their last offering, Dreamers Are Waiting (2021) and it seems fans just can’t get enough.
Read More...
Government Pest - EP Review: Vol. 3
05 Jun 2024 // by Kerry MB
Formed from the ashes of local bands, Hellborne and Wall of Silents to name a few, Government Pest have been on the scene since 2014 and have never failed to amaze fans with their solid metal offerings and swag of albums over the years. 2024 is no different and they’re back again with a new EP, Vol.
Read More...
PARK RD - Album Review The Novel
23 May 2024 // by Kerry MB
It’s easy to see why Auckland five-piece, PARK RD is making some noise, figuratively and literally with their debut album, The Novel. Heavy on the indie, but far from light with solid guitar riffs and pop and funk sensibilities, PARK RD are a great example of solid musicianship.
Read More...
Bad Schematics - Album Review: C O L L I D E
01 May 2024 // by Kerry MB
Manawatu might seem one of the unlikeliest places to find some damn good alt-rock pop punk, even more so when you add elements of metal, but stranger things have happened and I’m here to tell you it’s true, and their name is Bad Schematics. Not a name that may be familiar (yet), but they are a pretty determined bunch, having released their debut EP, Keep Your Gods in a flurry of a few short weeks, in 2023.
Read More...
View All Articles By Kerry MB

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TIMELESS
    The Weeknd And Playboi Carti
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem