Brendan Kelly And The Wandering Birds - Id Rather Die Than Live Forever (2012)

Brendan Kelly is a blogger, father, TV host, and frontman of The Lawrence Arms; and this newest rock band was formed in the spirit of other artist collectives like Wu-Tang Clan and Crass. The ambitious 12-song debut is a brave collaboration of friends (musicians, graphic artists, studio nerds, and even a college film professor) and it offers diverse songs and ample instrumentation to set this album apart from the typical punker-goes-acoustic project. The Wandering Birds employ distorted guitars, vibraphone, lap steel, drum loops, piano, and more to deliver a true departure—both musically and thematically—on this dynamic record.