Warm, catchy musicdebuted on new CD

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    By CHRIS PETERSON

    OK. This is for all you mellow people. If Filter, Korn or The Crystal Method are your bands of choice, then chances are you’ll want to skip over this album review. But if you are an exploratory soul, or just like solid, laid-back acoustic grooves, then you might want to know a little more about a guy named Birddog, (also known as Bill Santen).

    His debut CD, the mini-album “the trackhouse, the valley, the liquor store drive-thru” contains seven brilliant songs (eight including the live hidden track after song seven) that can be compared to a young Paul Simon, early Violent Femmes and, yes, even Johnny Cash.

    Now don’t get worried too quickly. There’s no “twang” to Birddog’s style. He embraces a classic western sound that sticks to the roots with the use of lap and pedal steel guitars to accompany his warm, catchy acoustic guitar riffs.

    The 22-year-old singer/guitarist has a distinct voice harmonious to his brittle, yet brash guitar playing. At times it sounds like he’s on the edge of singing a sour note, giving his performance a more personal touch, like you’re listening to something tangible and realistic. He never hits those sour notes, however, even during his live show.

    Birddog conveys the image of a young boy trying to sound older, and with his innocent-sounding, breathy, high drawl, he sings of life in a small town, travel and relationships, among other topics.

    At times his lyrical ideas are hard to follow because of phrases that seem unrelated and unintelligible. Figuring out his story is part of the entertainment. After his performance in Salt Lake City, one of the tour stops in support of the new album, Birddog said the lyrics embody an important element of music.

    “They’re the best part,” he said.

    Birddog said his influences include The Velvet Underground, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and older country music. As far as his music, Birddog said, “I can’t describe it. I once heard someone describe it as cosmic American music.”

    Born and raised in Kentucky, Birddog left for California at age 18, playing in Venice Beach and San Diego. Soon after his stay in California he made his way to Portland, Ore., which he now calls home.

    The new CD by Birddog was released July 15. It can be purchased in Salt Lake City at Modified Alternative and Grey Whale CD. If you can’t find the disk in Provo, a representative at Sugar Free records said it can be ordered through any local music store or by calling the record label directly at (773)489-5661.

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