Bird Is The Word

At the beginning of 2008, San Francisco's Birdmonster hadn't yet decided if they were a blog band or not. On 2006's No Midnight, the foursome walked a perfect domestic indie rock line of Americana bar band swagger and sweet California pop sing-alongs. The harmonies flowed, but their riverbed was gritty enough that the band's frantic energy seemed fresh-faced and earnest - like any hiccups were a result of their unbridled drive to get the music out of their heads and hearts and into your hands.

Now, as 2008 draws to a close, Birdmonster has smoothed out those hiccups and glossed over much of the gravel on From the Mountain to the Sea, effectively dispelling any speculation that they plan to make their mark on the Interweb (thank you very much). Jangly guitars still dot the record, but 90s-esque, stylized radio pop has replaced the youthful imperfection the band employed to warm the hearts of non-professional critics two years ago.

Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing - the chicks will tear up and sway for "Born to Be Your Man," an acoustic-based ode to puppy love that recalls some of the beguiling charm of No Midnight's "Spaceman," and the dudes will raise a fist and a PBR for ballsy rocker "Heart of the Dead."

So grab your dude or your chick and do some non-indie-rock swaying and pumping. Uh...

Birdmonster plays with Rumble Strips and Time Bomb Symphony at the Abbey Pub, 3420 W Grace, October 24, 9:00 p.m., $12, 18+