Boids – Self Titled

Few bands are as resistant to being pigeonholed as Montreal punkers Boids. The quartet’s eclectic mix of genres and styles draws upon decades of influences, making for a varied discography that encourages numerous multi-hyphenated descriptions.  Built around a pop-centric garage-punk core, Boids are a shoe-in for fans of bands like Riverboat Gamblers and Mean Jeans looking for something with a little extra flare.  

Their latest album marks their self-titled full-length effort, with the band offering a defining performance across eleven tracks.  “Bombs for Peace” opens with the inviting march of simple, repetitive chords that build over the first thirty seconds, settling listeners into an instantly infectious ear-grabbing rhythmic groove.  Then the song layers on bursts of frayed melodic vocals, culminating in extended harmonies that build and fade into a moody instrumental pause.  Boids confront their audience with their socio-political leanings, exploring the tension between state power dynamics and peaceful populist protest in the line, “You start a war, we start a song, we drop a beat, you drop a bomb.”  It’s a message that reflects the legacy of political punk activism and resistance at the foundation of the genre.

Regardless of the weight of their message, there’s a playfulness to their lyrics sure to earn at least a smirk or a nod of appreciation.  For instance, “Go Slow” is a rip-roaring pop-punk tune that revels in the juxtaposition between the melodic choral chant, “go slow,” and the track’s no-brakes momentum.  Others, like the zany mid-tempo – and at times asymmetrical – bop of “SOS” evoke similarities to fellow eastern Canadian punkers Pkew Pkew Pkew.  “Who cares if there’s lead in my pipes, I’m always thirsty and the rivers have all run dry,” shouts the band, building a tongue-in-cheek image of blindly embracing our society’s march to ecological destruction.  There’s no shortage of snarky, consistently quick-witted fun, and that’s not to mention the loosely punk-rock meets new-wave rhythm fueling album highlight “9V” or the humorous American-lifestyle satire of “Anywhere, USA.”

With their self-titled effort, Boids have absolutely nailed the art of sounding incredibly coherent and satisfyingly eclectic.  Over the years, their frenetic tendencies have evolved to include baseline melodies that are nothing short of infectious, giving rise to a style that, while perhaps not fit for radio, remains surprisingly accessible.  Even with a four-year break between albums, Boids remain at the top of their game and continue evolving in a direction that should keep fans satisfied for years to come.