One of the best things about working with TPA is the opportunity to explore new bands. Funhouse Mirrors is a young group out of my home state of New Jersey that I first ran into while they were previewing their upcoming album at Progstock 2023. Red Bird is their second album, following their 2020 debut Coloring Book. Proudly prog, Funhouse Mirrors have gone all out with what they are calling a “rock opera” which relates the story of the titular Red Bird and how it manipulates mankind into destroying itself.
Opening with the title track, Red Bird (Good Morning) is all minor key guitar and cymbal crashes. The music picks up a minute in when the entire band shows up, led by a nice synth lead from keys man Dan Centeno. The music follows an early Black Sabbath trajectory, concentrating on crunchy rhythm guitars abetted by Centeno’s beautiful mellotron-sounding interjections. Drummer Evan Sheppard handles the vocals, which to these ears seem out of place, even cartoonish at times. The lyrics, about some world-ending menace created in a lab (the Red Bird of the title), are somewhat goofy. Sample: “Good morning/Death of the world/Good morning/See it unfurl/Good morning/The end is fun/Good morning/Here it comes”. My advice is to concentrate on the intriguing musical changes instead. Speaking of which, a hot 7/8 groove is the centerpiece of The Strategy. Guitarist Johnny Weiner handles the more traditional vocal approach, allowing the listener to concentrate on Centeno’s synths, which add colour and dynamism to the track. Instrumentally, these lads have done their homework. The use of light and shade, shifting tones, and a broad range of influences is to their credit, much of it down to the keys, even though Weiner and Sheppard are the principal songwriters.
Electric piano creates an air of foreboding on I Can See The Earth Burn, only to be harshly interrupted by Sheppard’s vocals, which sound unnaturally deep. When the band relies on choral vocals or multiple voices, it sounds like a different (better) band. The concept itself grows increasingly weird with lyrics about “a spider shooting flames from its cavity”. Cool synth sounds and jazzy piano collaborate to save the musical day. The album’s longest track at ten minutes, To Follow The Bird has shades of Nektar in the interplay between the guitar and organ. Each section of this multipart suite has its own distinct character. Centeno takes a writing credit on this track, as well as handling lead vocals. His skill with keys (vocals, not so much) is impressive; not so much for its complexity, rather for the ability to change instrumental voices to fit comfortably into every song and express a new emotion. Even bassist Jackson Grey manages to shine, showcasing a solid approach which straddles rhythm and melody.
A funky clavinet and bass figure introduces A House Undone, one of the more instrumentally gripping moments. Sheppard reins in the eccentricities in this lead vocal for a more satisfying performance. The song ends abruptly and crashes into the short instrumental, Ending the Spiral, which highlights what these guys are capable of as writers and musicians. Flying Sawblade is a heavy tune which embraces the Sabbath influences while avoiding flattery courtesy, once more, of Centeno’s keyboard work. Wiener knows how to use riffage and isn’t afraid to show it. If only the same could be said for his vocals, which are passionate while describing the battle against the Red Bird, but his limited tonal range leaves something missing.
Summon The Spider is the final track, and another epic. The influence of the masters of reality is to the fore in the plodding rhythm and riffage. Centeno manages to add some air and light via his acoustic piano parts, but it is Weiner’s guitar which sits at the center of the proceedings. The song goes through several changes with the guitar providing the structure and the keys the emotional resonance. Lyrically, as I find is often the case with concepts, the story is murky and silly. Let’s just say that the ending is exactly what you might expect, which works well with the murk of the music.
Funhouse Mirrors is a young band with lots of potential. If they can find a way to channel their influences without mirroring them (no pun intended), they will continue to grow. The raw materials are evident in their compositions. Vocally, they could do more to refine their voices and take it to the next level. For now, this is a band to watch. Once everything falls into place, Funhouse Mirrors will be a force to be reckoned with.
TRACK LISTING
01. Red Bird (Good Morning) (7:08)
02. The Strategy (5:40)
03. I Can See The Earth Burn (3:38)
04. To Follow The Bird (9:59)
05. A House Undone (2:59)
06. Ending The Spiral (1:04)
07. Flying Sawblade (5:13)
08. Summon The Spider (9:23)
Total Time – 45:04
MUSICIANS
Johnny Weiner – Guitar, Lead & Background Vocals
Jackson Grey – Bass, Backing Vocals
Evan Shepperd – Drums, Lead & Backing Vocals
Dan Centeno – Keyboards, Lead & Backing Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Date of Release: 10th May 2024
LINKS
Funhouse Mirrors – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram