Hear/Say
THE PRESS
"This is music for those looking for a good time... anthems for a glass-half-full lifestyle. Intricate, layered pop that compels you to take the journey with them."
The Deli Magazine
CoS on Surrender to This
"One thing this album does quite well is the integration of this retro aesthetic into the songwriting. The title track features a Latin-flavored guitar strum and hand claps that are so Beatles circa 1964, while “Born to Be Alive” is a fun, up-tempo song with a strong rockabilly flair."
Consequence of Sound
Earmilk on TMB
"They definitely have an established persona and sounds that are quite unique to themselves. A mix of folk, pop, and psychedelia gives The Morning Birds their own big chirp in the indie music scene."
- Earmilk
MXDWN on BLOOM
"In 22 minutes, The Morning Birds have achieved what many have tried and failed to do—to produce a concept album that’s cohesive, coherent and interesting throughout. They bring a jazzy doo-wop, lounge-pop aesthetic to an indie scene that’s in desperate need of their brand of chillscape music." - MXDWN
"Hear on Showtime's Shameless... Early morning, post-bender, hangover-lifting,
“Jimmy Dean”, from The Morning Birds’ Select Songs from 2011-2014. The cool swagger of vintage night club atmospheres is brought to the breakfast ready head-spaces of revitalizing while the mind slowly comes to during the process of reckoning." - Impose
Inspired by the surrounding nature or bright stars at night, the couple composed “Bloom” –a sedated lounge ode laced with lush pop, smoky jazz, and Thorington’s velvet vocals... Haunts our inhibitions just fine."
- Free Bike Valet on Bloom
"All sorts of perfection written all over it."
- Dingus
"With the enchanting, bewitching vocals of the California duo, we’re left with something that feels magical and fantastical."
"Speaking of moody and dreamy and lady-voiced, here's one by Morning Birds, actually based in Los Angeles. I'm not generally one for remixes, but they're offering an EP with five (that's right, five) of 'em."
- Choir Croak Out Them Goodies
"It's the first Friday of the New Year (2014).
A good day to be alive.
Bump this jive, and go give a high five."
- Sharp Balloon
The Morning Birds are Voted #3 of 2012's top emerging artists of Los Angeles by The Deli Magazine...
“The Morning Birds make anthems for a glass-half-full lifestyle. Intricate, layered pop that compels you to take the journey with them. Surrender to This, their most recent release, is a mixed-bag of sixties psych-folk, modern day electro-pop, laid-back hip-hop rhythms, and reggae swagger. This is music for those looking for a good time.”
Jacqueline Caruso - The Deli Magazine
The Morning Birds on Ferry Weekly with "Born To Be Alive" - Ferry Weekly
"Thunderclaps as percussion and the chant-sounding vocals."
"The key choices and dynamic shifts are fascinating, and the harmonies dance all over... “Surrender To This” by The Morning Birds is an excellent release with tracks that reach brilliance. You can’t ask for anything more than that."
James Moore - Independent Music Promotion
“Waves of sound wash through the air asking for our attention to their song. And that’s not difficult, Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Markus write beautiful music together. Every moment and opportunity for melody is exploited with joyful results. Their newest EP, Surrender to This, takes cues from Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” production approach. The songs are BIG. They spare no moments to impress their inherent beauty upon the listener.”
Speakercone
“It is quite an interesting stew, mixing diverse styles and musical instruments that combine to make a sound that is very innovative yet warm enough to melt your heart. There is much more here than just good music. There is meaning in the lyrics to help the listener focus on what is most important, staying centered and giving in to what your heart tells you is right.”
Indie Band Guru
“Born To Be Alive skips along on the back of a groove so funky that it sounds like it was kidnapped from a 1970s New York disco and dragged into the new Millennium. Add the doo-wop harmonies and slinky percussion and we have a song that is so sure to put a smile on your face it could come with a money back guarantee.”
Mad Mackerel - The Mad Mackerel
“There are some current bands out there forging the road ahead after the deep slumber of the early 2000s, namely LA’s The Morning Birds who’s songstress has a similar bravado.”
Modern Visionaries
"If there ain’t something in that little lot to get you shimmying, you ain’t got ears."
- Burdz Eye View
"...they write pure, fantastic songs reminiscent of the best male-female duos in modern music’s history. They have the pure joy of life present in Matt and Kim, the polish of She and Him and the intensity of the White Stripes."
Robin Cripe - Reviews and the Rest
“ The Morning Birds cinematic tones make you feel as if you're floating on a cumulous cloud at daybreak being transported to another time and place like a willing Dorothy and Toto. 'The Quickening' weaves Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Markus' stunning vocals around a complex yet comforting piece of sublime pop - call the control center and ask for clearance 'cause this one makes me want to break into airplane pose and fly away.”
Yoga Shelter - Shelter Sounds
"Surrender To This, as much ecclectic as it is heart-warming, is a very unique album. Even the slower songs feel like a “warm summer rain”"
Feelgood Indie
"...they create soundscapes that paint a perfect summer picture positive beats that remind me of a day in the sand. The Morning Birds know how to create a feel-good vibe, and their latest record Surrender to This is backing that statement up."
Pens Eye View
“The duo of Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Markus have created one of the most creative independent music groups of the last two years.”
My Record Journal / JP's Music Blog
“It is one of those records that has gradually grown and grown on us and is full of lovely harmonies and rich, warm instrumentation that reminds us of duos like She & Him, but is altogether more joyful and uplifting – these two are what we would have once called hippies, and they are all the better for it!”
Mad Mackerel
"They make running a music site like this worthwhile and however overwhelmingly biased we are towards them, we will not make any apologies. Check them out, they are delightful, its official."
Beehive Candy Jan 2012
“The Quickening has slyly seduced us over the past few days and weeks with its infectious blend of sunny harmonies and groovy rhythms.”
Mad Mackerel - Mad Mackerel
“For those who like: Imogen Heap The LA duo combine beats and piano for an intriguing hybrid.”
Snob's Music
“The co-ed duo consists of Jennifer Thorington and Samuel Marcus who complement each other’s comforting vocals. ...a good option for setting the mood after coming home from a lively Saturday night...”
Modern Mystery Blog
“Yet another Kohoutek band to look forward to: L.A. based alternative/indie rock duo the Morning Birds. Definitely stripped down kind of rock sound, not too many bells and whistles which is a superbly nice change of pace”
Kohoutek Festival
“It's great to hear varied production tactics, and these guys employ them nicely. ... easy with layered vocals and smoky with emotion. If the Doors were still releasing albums, these songs would be on it.”
Ross Christopher - Awaken Music
“The infectious tune and the playful, vibrant images combine to make “It’s Then You’ll Know” a video you’ll just have to share.”
Skope Magazine
“Inspiration Point is one of those few albums you can listen to straight through without any songs grating on your patience. I like the exclusive blend of tones and layered vocals they use; a unique style that is hard to categorize, which is one of their strongest features.”
Talk with Tim
"...the soft harmonies really stand out above the rhythmic drumming that seemingly ensures the pace is kept up before we softly drift away to something quite beautiful."
2011Candy
“Check out a track from The Morning Birds that includes thunderclaps as percussion and the chant-sounding vocals of Thorington and Samuel Markus. http://www.indierockcafe.com/2011/05/fresh-tracks/”
Indie Rock Cafe
“If The Morning Birds were Bee’s they would defiantly be workers, because of what they are doing over time to build their brand. Unlike your typical music group; they are artist, designers and film makers. The Morning Birds are the one stop shop for anything you could ever ask for from a group in the music world”
Deanna - NRG Theory Management