This 1980 compilation LP of tracks by this '60s Florida band is hardly an ideal summation of
the Birdwatchers' recorded work, and almost as hard to find these days as their original 45s. But it does collect quite a few of their singles, as well as some tracks of unspecified origin that seem as though they were probably also recorded around the same era. Like too many bands to count from the era,
the Birdwatchers lacked much of a distinct identity, borrowing heavily from British Invasion sounds, blue-eyed soul,
Byrdsy folk-rock, and other trends of the time (even, on "Then You Say Boh Bah,"
Neil Diamond). The Birdwatchers were much more skilled than the average such band, however, at crafting material that was fairly enjoyable in its own right, if undeniably derivative. There are some pretty catchy if formulaic tunes here, with the poppier side of the British Invasion standing out as the biggest influence, even if "I'm Gonna Love Anyway" -- where a stomping garage-pop verse alternates with a prettier bridge that almost sounds like a gutsier version of
Gerry & the Pacemakers -- is the only one of these 15 tracks that sounds as if it could have been a national hit given the right breaks. Maybe the original appearance of this material on numerous different labels is what's made the group's legacy difficult to compile in the CD era. But this anthology is decent regional '60s pop/rock with a trace of garage if your taste runs to that sort of thing, and if you're fortunate enough to find a copy. ~ Richie Unterberger