Noble Beast Album Review
Andrew Bird Releases New Material
Following his prolific tendencies, Andrew Bird is releasing his new album in January of 2009. Following Armchair Apocrypha, the Soldier On ep, and a live album, this will be Bird's fourth release in two years. Thankfully, Bird has managed to keep the quality of his releases consistent.
Nothing on the new album should come as a surprise. Anyone introduced to Bird's particular mixture of indie rock, folk, jazz, and classical influences on Armchair Apocrypha will feel immediately comfortable. Down to Bird’s choice of polysyllabic rhyme schemes, Bird continues to prove himself to be the brainy indie rock songwriter. Having cemented his idiosyncratic style on his last album, no one will mistake Bird's new album for any other artist in the expansive indie rock scene.
Song Highlights
“Oh No“ begins the album with a slightly 40‘s era melody played on violin and Bird‘s whistling before singing about “all the sociopaths.” “Masterswarm” follows immediately, and as the second song on the album feels a little long clocking in at just under seven minutes. On its own the song works, though it would have benefited from a different position in the track listing.
“Not a Robot, But a Ghost“ begins with clinking percussion and horns before bursting out with a slightly flamenco feel. Biding his time, Bird waits till two minutes in the introduce the chorus with with ringing piano chords and the lyrics “I hear the clockwork in your cold.” “Anonanimal” begins with a lush swell of strings before exploding into the melody. Mid-way through the song, it breaks down into a brief interlude with Bird singing “I will become anonanimal.”
Useless Creatures
The only criticism that can be made of the album is of its length. Clocking in at over fifty-four minutes, the album tends to feel stretched beyond its limits. There are several songs near the end, including “The Privateers” and “Souverians,” which on their own are as strong as any other song on the album. However, they tend to feel rather tired by the time they roll around after everything that precedes them.
If the fifty-four minute long Noble Beast isn't enough to satisfy die-hard Andrew Bird fans, then there is also a deluxe edition set to be released. This version includes Useless Creatures, an all-instrumental release. The track "Carrion Suite" can be previewed on Bird's website andrewbird.net/. The deluxe edition also includes different packagng and artwork, photos, a poster, and a booklet of lyrics.
Noble Beast deluxe edition
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