by Mike Faloon
Bird Nest Roys
Me Want Me Get Me Need Me Have Me Love 2 x LP
Me Want Me Get… is a double album collection from Bird Nest Roys, a New Zealand band from the ‘80s. I thought I’d at least heard of all the great New Zealand bands from that era. Bird Nest Roys represent a considerable oversight and Me Want Me Get… represents the sort of pleasant surprise that makes me wonder what I’ve done lately (or must do in the future) to deserve such bounty.
Like the best of their contemporaries on Flying Nun Records, Bird Nest Roys [1] were heavy on the jangle and the melodies and light on attitude—tunes are to be memorable and bands are absurd propositions, entities worthy of effort but serving first and foremost as vehicles for having a good time.
Sonically, Bird Nest fit in with fellow Flying Nun artists such as the Chills and the Clean, gentle and swaying here (“Five Weetbix and Toast”), fired up and steaming ahead there (“Loving”). I hear bits of the Housemartins and the Smiths as well. Bird Nest were a six-piece band but they don’t sound like it. The band’s sound is never cluttered. They blend the elements really well, mask their numbers. (This makes them sound like Sand People. Star Wars would have been infinitely more compelling if it’d been members of Bird Nest Roys who came upon Luke in the desert—strumming tunes, offering pints and odd takes on Kafka short stories.)
Me Want Me Get… collects all of Bird Nest Roys’ discography. And while the tunes are the obvious focus, the package is pleasing, too. The sleeves to the double album set feature the artwork from the band’s self-titled long player (1987) and their debut EP (Whack It All Down, 1985). Photos, collages, line drawings, hand lettered credits, liner notes from guitarist and vocalist Big Ross—it’s a terrific collection of visuals.
Thanks to Flying Nun putting these songs back in circulation and Captured Tracks for insuring they’re available domestically.
“Alien”
“Ain’t Mutatin’”
[1] I’m tempted to go with “BNR” but it's too close to “GNR." Or maybe I should embrace the similarity, declare BNR the winner.
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