record review: Andrew Bird - Noble Beast REPOST, SANS MP3s

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Andrew Bird has a great, varied resume when it comes to his discography. His early work with his makeshift band, Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire, is barely recognizable to his post “Weather Systems” fans, oozing with, no, you didn’t guess it, JAZZ influences.

He found his niche with his solo debut, “Weather Systems”, and stuck with it for three records. “Noble Beast” is another story entirely. Bird manages to simultaneously sound like everything you’ve ever heard and something completely new.

This album is Bird’s most eclectic record to date, and it feels like a global roadtrip. Don’t let the excessive whistling fool you; here, you’ll find some of Bird’s most heartbreaking and dreary lyrics.
He bears his heart on “Effigy”, a song which is like a cross between an Irish folk song and a lullaby. The lyric “fake conversations on a non existent telephone like the words of a man who’s spent too much time alone” is closely followed by a soulful violin solo, and the second time around, he does things with his voice much in the vein of Zach Condon (you know, that drawn out gorgeosity that will captivate you for hours). Well done, Andrew!

While Bird’s music has always kind of reminded me of Radiohead, it has never been so evident as on “Masterswarm”, but then Bird delves into a whistling frenzy, maintaining his own unique twist on everything. It’s obvious that Bird has been listening to more pop music lately, as the violin solo in “Souverian” closely resembles the melody of “My Girl” by the Temptations.

“Tenuousness” reinvents a simple guitar chord progression which you’ve heard a thousand times in American folk songs. “Noble Beast” is strangely danceable, as Bird combines pop sensibility (“Fitz and Dizzyspells”) and songs that could be found on a soundtrack to a Jane Austen novel (“Effigy”).

“Not a Robot, but a Ghost”, which incorporates electronica beats, was the most surprising track of the bunch, as I did not expect the classically trained Bird to ever tread that territory. “Noble Beast” is a very experimental album, but it turned out quite nicely. Bird combined Northern European folk influences with more contemporary rock sounds, and even gives us a Middle Eastern sounding interlude with “Unfolding Fans”.

Bird ends the journey with “On Ho!”, a beautiful, melancholy instrumental number which reassures you that while he may experiment every now and then, his unique, superb song writing will never falter.

The verdict: while it may take a few thorough listens, this album will inevitably win you over. A stunning masterpiece, but I have come to expect nothing less from Mr. Bird.

4.25/5


“Noble Beast” drops on the 20th, but you can pre-order it
on CD
or double LP
or deluxe edition (CD)
the deluxe edition includes "Useless Creatures", an album of instrumental tracks. you can stream the entire thing HERE