The Birds of Satan

The Birds of Satan are a worthy facsimile of ‘70s guitar rock, with all the members pedigreed rockers. The leader is Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins, who sings, drums, and plays keyboards and guitar. His day-job bandmates Dave Grohl and Pat Smear bring their guitars, while Wiley Hodgden (Chevy Metal) handles bass and Mick Murphy (My Ruin, Chevy Metal) is considered the group’s official guitarist. Foo Fighter Drew Hester (percussion) and Wallflower/Foo Fighter Rami Jaffee (keyboards) round out the guests. This record took "less than a week" to record, and the performances are strong and convincing throughout. It just depends how far one can get behind a nearly 10-minute tune called “The Ballad of the Birds of Satan” and quicker, ‘70s-styled pop-boogie rockers like “Thanks for the Line,” “Raspberries,” and “Nothing at All.” Everyone here knows how it’s supposed to sound, and they nail it. The fun is obvious. Whether it’s a novelty or the real thing is a valid question. But does that matter if it rocks all the same?