Panorama

Panorama is the third full-length from the San Francisco based Birds & Batteries and their finest work to date. The new album is a rare mix of organic and electronic, pop and experimental and an effortless play of surprising elements. Birds & Batteries' 2009 EP Up To No Good showed singer/bandleader Michael Sempert exploring synth-funk and the influences of Bowie's Scary Monsters and P-Funk. On Panorama, his love for artists like Harry Nilsson, ELO, and David Byrne shines through, and he trades in a bit of the irony for empathy. Sempert might as well be a scientist in his next life, as he is able to blend his classic folk-ish voice with synth textures for down right futuristic results. When pressed for a simple summary, he's described the sound as "Art-rock meets Tom Petty." Basically it's not all that easy to define. Sempert is joined by Christopher Walsh (guitar), Jill Heinke (bass), and Brian Michelson (drums). The new record conjures up blue skies and big views. It is heartfelt and bold and we think you'll actually feel better for hearing it.