Dinosaur Feathers

Fantasy Memorial (self-released)

By Liz Schroeter
Published: March 18th, 2010 | 7:00am

It could be that our wind-chapped ears are just dying for a little warmth and sunshine, but the tropical melodies of Fantasy Memorial is exactly what we desire near the end of a dark winter. Calling to mind the mashed-up tribal and electronic pastiche of Ruby Suns, Brooklyn band Dinosaur Feathers’ debut is an impressive collection of musical and global influences. Songs weave in elements of African rhythm and vocal chants with Latin Tropicalia melodies and acoustic guitar over beats that waltz, rattle, and shake away the winter blues.

What sounds like a full choir of noisemakers on these recordings is primarily the work of Greg Sullo, Derek Zimmerman, and Ryan Michael Kiley, plus a drum machine and a small cast of other musicians. The album opens with the sound of tropical bird croons and leaps right into the sunny “I Ni Sogoma” with a literal “whoooaaaa!” Lush, ‘60s-style vocal harmonies sway throughout many of the tracks that follow, most notably on the lovely “Holy Moses.” “Vendela Vida” recalls the dark Latin grooves of Black Heart Procession’s Amore del Tropico while quirky pop numbers like “Family Waves” sound like Vampire Weekend (and frankly beat the pants off much of the material on that band’s latest effort, Contra). Then there’s the dreamlike epic “Sleeping In,” which, at just over six minutes long, lulls the listener into tranquil submission at the album’s midpoint.

Dinosaur Feathers have crafted a layer cake of sweet vocal harmonies, electronic beats, and global grooves that are awash with joy — and joy is a universal sound which makes Fantasy Memorial instantly familiar and enjoyable in spite of its eclectic elements.

We’ll see if we feel the same way at the end of a hot summer, after playing this on repeat for the next six months.

--

Dinosaur Feathers official site

Dinosaur Feathers MySpace