by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Birdland's self-titled debut is rooted in the spiky power pop of the late '70s, featuring a number of speedy, catchy songs that all clock in at around three minutes. The notable exception is a pedestrian cover of Patti Smith's "Rock n' Roll Nigger," a tribute that doesn't quite work. However, that leaves enough prime material to make the record worthwhile for new wave revivalists.