Moving deftly from violin to keyboard effects and more, Bird is adept at weaving sonic tapestries complex enough for those looking for musicality while being accessible enough for the pop rock fan.
Much of the impact of Bird's songs stems from the atmosphere he creates. "Tenuousness" is based on just that. The song feels as though Bird is tenuously holding back a flood of sound. That flood comes on the very next track as "Nomenclature" breaks down into a fury of guitar clang. Both songs are mirrored later on "Anonanimal", which has a lilting ebb and flow.
Bird proves to be a adept at including just enough elements of music to make the listener feel they are in a completely different genre, while staying on the familiar path he has build. On "Effigy" Bird come across as a cross between a medieval troubadour and jug and washboard playing hillbilly. Several tracks, including "Masterswarm" and "Not a Robot, But a Ghost" incorporate a Spanish mamba feel to the violin.
"Fitz and Dizzyspells" is likely the most straightforward song on the album. It's whistling and jangle demonstrate that Bird can pen a simple pop rock gem too.
You would be hard pressed to find an artist as musically proficient as Andrew Bird on Noble Beast.
Noble Beast has a companion instrumental EP Useless Creature.
Andrew Bird plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on April 3rd and Le National in Montreal on April 4th.
Best tracks: "Fitz and Dizzyspells", "Anonanimal"
Track listing for Noble Beast:
- Oh No
- Masterswarm
- Fitz and Dizzyspells
- Effigy
- Tenuousness
- Nomenclature
- Ouo
- Not a Robot, But a Ghost
- Unfolding Fans
- Anonanimal
- Natural Disasters
- Privateers
- Souverian
- On Ho
8.0
1 praise/complaints:
WEB SHERIFF
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Hi 'Snob's Music',
On behalf of Fat Possum Records and Andrew Bird, many thanks for plugging "Noble Beast" (street date 20th January) ... .. thanks, also, on behalf of the label and artist for not posting any pirate links to unreleased (studio) material and, if you / your readers want good quality, non-pirated, preview tracks, “Oh No” is available for fans and bloggers to link to / post / host etc via Pitchfork - www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/146200-premiere-andrew-bird-oh-no-stream ... .. also check-out the artist’s MySpace – www.myspace.com/andrewbird and www.andrewbird.net for details on “Noble Beast” and the artist’s 2008/09 shows … .. you can also view official Andrew Bird videos at www.youtube.com/andrewbirdmusic and, for details of further preview material and pre-release promotions, keep an eye on these official sources.
Thanks again for your plug.
Regards,
WEB SHERI
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