This band formed in 1985 in Portland, Oregon and were first known as simply The Riflebirds, ‘April’ is a reissue of their 1989 debut album which was originally only released on cassette. It was produced by Marvin Etzioni of Lone Justice.
More pop than folk, the emphasis is on strong melodies and simple arrangements. Kate Lieuallen has a gently assertive voice that gives the songs a distinctive identity. The style is a little retro, as evidenced by a cover of The Beatles’s And Your Bird Can Sing.
The nostalgic mood is clear from the titles of the first two tunes: Pieces of Time and Memory Street. The up tempo After Today brings thing more into the present time and carries the optimistic, though non-specific message that “It’s going to get better”
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With nine tracks and less than half an hour’s playing time, it’s a modest affair but shows a promise that was not fully realised at the time. The band went their separate ways in 1989 but happily they reformed as The Riflebirds of Portland in 2024. The story continues.
The Riflebirds of Portland’s website
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