by Cam Harper
Indianapolis indie rockers Good Flying Birds deliver yet again with the release—or rather re-release—of their collected debut Taluhah’s Tape, which showcases some of the years’ finest DIY apple-crunching twee that will surely worm its way into the ears of many listeners. First formed as a trio in 2023 under the moniker “Talulah God,” Good Flying Birds released Taluhah’s Tape early in the new year through DIY label Rotten Apple. After seemingly falling from the sky, Taluhah’s Tape quickly gained traction among listeners with a penchant for jangle pop excellence, selling three-hundred tapes in under a month. Now the band has refined this release to match the enthusiasm of eager listeners that have been quick to discover this group's talent for remarkable songwriting. The band has co-signed with labels Carpark and Smoking Room to release a range of physical media such as limited edition vinyl, CDs, and new cassettes.
The robust tracklist of Taluhah’s Tape features home recordings from as early as 2020 full of tender guitar pop, lo-fi explosions, and heavily employed tambourines paired with the fuzz of Peavey amplifiers. Album opener “down on me” sets an immediate tone with its weeping guitars and earnest lyrics that exude confident vulnerability. Catchy and definitive guitar hooks are a mainstay on this record without overshadowing the bands’ foundational rhythm section.
One the album’s most notable tracks “Every Day is Another” is a beautiful, arid piece that flows with a calm and serene demeanour. The song is bookended by two of the joke tracks spread across the tape. GFB’s ability to mix DIY charm with humour is one of the many qualities that set them apart from the digital sea of soft garage rockers. The first single released “Eric’s Eyes” falls later in the tracklisting and sees the band working together with quick-spun guitar licks, harmonized vocals, and rapid-fire drum fills to create a memorable first impression for new listeners.
Talulah’s Tape does not fall short on sharp guitar riffs and a forty-minute tracklist that breezes by. The homespun sheen and pristine songwriting are a pure celebration of craft and creativity. Very few new bands are able to come out the gate with such memorable tracks. In times when music listening is dominated by passive listening it can be easy to forget that you can sing along and have fun but Good Flying Birds are here to help us remember that.