Bluebird follow up their fun 2002 album,
Hot Blood, with the
Falling Back to Earth EP, which features the single along with previously unreleased tracks from old and new recording sessions. "Falling Back to Earth" remains a great single and one of
Hot Blood's highlights. Both heavy and melodic, it's akin to the work of likeminded bands such as
Queens of the Stone Age as well as classic rockers like
Deep Purple,
Free, and
Blue Cheer (and with lyrics like "Falling back to earth/Cycles of rebirth," the song even has the quasi-spiritual feel that strengthens its ties to late-'60s/early-'70s rock). The rest of the EP lives up to
Bluebird's reputation as one of Dim Mak's most straightforwardly "rawk" bands: "F. U. Pay Me," which comes from the
Hot Blood sessions, and "Wrecking Ball 2003" capture the band at their most metallic. It's clear why "F. U. Pay Me" didn't make it onto the album -- despite the band's formidable power, it's just not as strong as the songs that did make the cut -- but it does showcase Sam James' commanding voice, which has enough sweetness and edge to handle
Bluebird's melodic and ferocious moments. "Somethings Are Worth Losing," another song from the
Hot Blood sessions, is both melodic and ferocious, with a lean, slightly prickly melody and an anthemic chorus that makes it the best of the previously unreleased material. Even though the closing track, "Buried Underneath" -- which dates back to 2001 -- is a bit turgid,
Falling Back to Earth is still a strong EP, and more proof that
Bluebird should be getting more attention than they are; this band is just as powerful and catchy, if not more so, than the best of its contemporaries. ~ Heather Phares