The Mae Shi
Terrorbird
Release Date: Jul 27, 2004
Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Experimental
Record label: 5 Rue Christine
Music Critic Score
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Album Review: Terrorbird by The Mae Shi
Excellent, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
Simply put, the Mae Shi is a great example of what's possible when the conventional rock song becomes tired and boring. Terrorbird may be the result of what happens when people can't sing or write verses and choruses, but the eagerness for experimenting offsets the Los Angeles band's screaming and yelling (one track, ironically, takes on harmonies). With 33 tracks in 42 minutes (each averages around one minute), the four-piece is anarchic and weird, yet -- best of all -- still strangely maintains a certain charm.
Opinion: Excellent
Terrorbird is an apt as hell name for The Mae Shi’s first full-length. The band – four twentysomethings from Los Angeles – transforms when they perform, freaking into a frantic frenzy of breathless squawking and histrionic talking the second their set begins. Everything moves really fast, sweat flies, cymbals topple, they mumble thank yous, and it’s over.