from Squealer, October 1997, Issue 22

Ralph Covert / Birthday

Leader of Chicago's the Bad Examples for a decade, Ralph Covert has mastered the catchy barroom pop song. In his second solo acoustic record, Birthday, Covert maintains his songwriting trademarks: layered harmonies, jangly guitars, passionate, aching vocals and unpretentious lyrics. Birthday is a concept record of sorts - as Covert writes in the liner notes, "a collection of lullabies and fairy tales, perhaps, or a handbook of life," for his toddler daughter Fiona.

Taken in that context, Birthday is a charming, earnest recording. However, the tunes don't come off as smarmy as "kiddie" songs typically do. How refreshing that Covert is not regretful about his own life - he is not warning Fiona against making the same mistakes he has. Instead, these songs share the joy life has given him and encourage Fiona to follow her own heart.

Old friends (including some Bad Examples) show up on Birthday, giving it a familiar feel. There is a muppet-like, ukulele-laced opener "Until the Day," and a peaceful "Bedtime Girl". "Salamander Green" is a colorful, fragrant feast for all senses. Covert becomes a travelling circus performer (kinda like being in a band?) on "The Amazing Romero." The closing track, "Somewhere That Feels Like Home," is the dad-leads-a-bar-band companion to "Butterfly Kisses" - "You're ruthless like a woman, darling / beautiful and terrible / intelligent and decadent." Birthday is not an "entry point" to the Covert discography (an honor that still goes to The Bad Examples' unparalleled pop perfection of Bad Is Beautiful), but it is a beautiful gift from father to daughter.

(Kristen L. Rainey)