Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Andrew BirdEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-01-20
Music Label: Fat Possum
Soundtracks:
- Oh No
- Masterswarm
- Fitz and the Dizzyspells
- Effigy
- Tenuousness
- Nomenclature
- ouo
- Not a Robot, But a Ghost
- Unfolding Fans
- Anonanimal
- Natural Disaster
- The Privateers
- Souverian
- On Ho
Free Music Notes for Noble Beast
Free Music Review: Outstanding Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Fat Possum Records delivers a really great album, what an eclectic label (from hardcore blues to indie music). The recording is solid and clean. Andrew Bird's vocals stand front, center and clear; probably some of the most intelligible lyrics I've heard in a very long time. I'm reminded of Thom Yorke's Eraser, unusual supporting mostly acoustic music, interesting lyrics and a slight nasal quality to his voice - all fantastic. It's a similar sound, but not a copy or derivative. Andrew Bird definately has his own style.
March 13 update: After getting to know Andrew Bird's music a bit better, I'd actually give this album 6 stars, it has grown better with more listens. I apologize for thinking he used a theremin (sorry for misspelling the instrument, hope you all understood what I meant). It is in fact him whistling. With that change the comments remain valid.
This is my first Andrew Bird album, so excuse my not having comparisons to his other albums. He is a story teller, in a folk music tradition.
Noble Beast appears to be an album built in order with a purpose. My first listen was in random order, and that is nowhere near as pleasant as track order.
The opening track, Oh No, excellent acoustic guitar backed by a small orchestra serves as a gentle wake up call in the morning. There's a tiny bit of show tune influence here, nothing strong or annoying.
Masterswarm has a similar folk sound to Black Swan in it's opening. It then changes mood to a slightly Brazilian sound with the rythmn guitar, but tempers it with a violin here and there.
Fitz and the Dizzyspells reminds me a bit of British "pop" music. A bit like XTC, but with a really nice twist. It's the most produced song so far, big backup instruments and a happy beat.
Effigy is a beautiful haunting song with Irish folk song influence. I'm reminded of Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan on this this track, without the angst. The track starts fairly quiet and builds gradually.
Tenuousness, ah the intelligent lyric, such a rare beast today. The track starts with some fantastic acoustic guitar work. As Andrew starts singing more instruments are added to build a fuller sound. Drums, purcussion instruments, violin, something that sounds a lot like a theraphin (not my favorite sound), and electric guitar. It's a pleasant song.
Nomenclature, probably my favorite lyrics of the disc. Wonderful turn of phrase, unexpected words. This song, about halfway through the album, feels like a nice mid afternoon piece.
Ouo, a 20 second instrumental throw away. I've never quite understood why artists throw these pieces on albums. Easy enough to delete.
Not a Robot, but a Ghost, the music overwhelms the vocals a bit here. A grinding electric guitar jumps in. The sound is slightly Chill Out, Zero Seven, meet Thom Yorke's solo work. The beat is much faster here.
Unfolding Fans, another incomprehensible throw away 58 second track.
Anonanimal has a movie soundtrack quality. Not big budget Hollywood blockbuster sound, but the independent sparse low budget film sound. Acoustic for the first three minutes and then he adds an electric guitar and the tempo picks up. Nice change in the music. I like this made up word, Anonanimal. It sounds beautiful sung.
Natural Disaster an absolutely gorgeous song (such an irony). Another Irish folk song influenced, acoustic piece. Sparse backup, acoustic guitar, violin, drums, and they blessedly left the Theraphin home. A touch of some beautiful female singer. One of my favorite tracks on this album.
Souverian is the last real track, opens with violin and Theraphin type sound. But quickly adds a piano drums and acoustic guitar. Almost a classic folk ballad with a show tune influence. The song slows and speeds up, builds volume and then goes quiet. There's a lot going on in this track, a lot of drama.
On Ho is another 1 minute throw away track, Andrew Bird plays violin. He plays beautifully, the recording is spot on perfect. But I just don't get this piece, in an album that is lyrical, each song was a poetic story; he chooses to close the disc with an instrumental piece. Then again, he wakes you with the opening track Oh No and closes with On Ho; maybe that is lyrical enough.
Definately a winner.
By the way - if you are downloading this as MP3's - skip those three tracks, they cost $0.89 like all the others.
Noble Beast Poster
Double vinyl LP pressing. 2009 release from the quirky but melodic singer/songwriter. Swiftly picking up popularity with his fifth album The Mysterious Production of Eggs, Andrew Bird then signed with Fat Possum Records for his 2007 highly anticipated follow-up record Armchair Apocrypha. Now he stands poised with this new record, which he spent most of 2008 working on. 14 tracks.Alternative Rock Music CDs
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