October 6, 1999
London Camden Underworld
Their songs all of which sound like authentic southern-fried '70s boogie rock are something of a departure from [B]Menswe[/B]@r's Britpop little-Englandism...
Birdman Ray feature Simon White - formerly of Menswe@r - on guitar. Their harmonica player is blowing away centre stage in a 1987 George Jones tour T-shirt. Their songs - all of which sound like authentic southern-fried '70s boogie rock - are something of a departure from Menswe@r's Britpop little-Englandism. What on earth is going on?
If you're feeling kind-hearted, there's something to be said for Birdman Ray's loon-panted, erm, Allman Brothers-flavoured rock. Authentically American singer Jordan smiles his way through the bullish 'Sticky' with good-natured aplomb, while quasi-anthemic curtain-closer 'Baby's In Miami' will make an exceptional single should any of the assembled A&R pack decide to put their money where their (very loud) mouths are.
What long-term implications this will have for the future of British pop is perhaps a more vexed issue. That one of the last modest bastion's of priggish British pop has made the metaphorical leap to California might well mark the end of the Camden pop experience. Next year, they'll probably flatten Camden High Street to build a Gap Megastore. Truly, it's the end of an era.
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