Andrew Bird – Noble Beast Album Review
20 Jan
[rating:46/100]
Is Andrew Bird the future of music? Quite frankly… No. Some may reply to this that quality is more important than “being the next big thing”, and I would agree with them, but the simple fact surrounding “Noble Beast”, due to be released January 20th, is that it is painfully mundane and somewhat reticent; it would seem that Andrew Bird, no doubt an exceptionally skilled musician and multi-instrumentalist, has fallen into a comfortable rut of songwriting that is likely to placate his hard-core fan bases’ need for another album brimming with shimmering folk rock, but unlikely to excite anybody who owns anything by Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes or Bob Dylan. Just about everyone, then…
I would like to make it clear at this point that I have a lot of respect for Andrew Bird, he is one of the most talented instrumentalists I have ever encountered, having been trained in the fastidious “Suzuki method” of music, and is able to hit, strum, pick and play an unbelievable plethora of instruments. Here’s another useful fact: he went to Wesleyan University. Yes, the same one as Santogold, Boy Crisis, Amazing Baby and MGMT. All very interesting, but, ultimately, superfluous, for as you strain your way through placid album opener “Anonanimal” to the meandering nihilism of “Natural Disaster”, most people, myself included, will find anything to keep going back for.
The album’s biggest highlight is “Oh No”, the most memorable song on the album, complete with a trademark Andrew Bird whistling intro and a pleasantly rhythmic verse and chorus. In fact, as Bird croons over the backdrop of a fuzzy guitar, you may find yourself suddenly optimistic for the remainder of the album. However, what follows barely progresses past the “pleasantness” that made “Oh No”, the album highlight, but also left it languishing as a song that, honestly, you are unlikely to return to. What flow the album has is tragically dispersed by the utterly pointless “Oh Ho!” and “Ouo”, both under two minutes long of the most eminently forgettable music this side of James Blunt.
Lyrically, Andrew Bird’s delivery is stoically acceptable, but rarely exciting, and never mesmerising. The highlight (and, indeed, the only lyric that has easily committed itself to memory) comes on “Effigy” as Bird lazily attacks his guitar and declares that:
“It could be you,
It could be me,
Working the door,
Drinking for free”
Although it looks fairly unspectacular on screen, it is better when heard in context, and it is as close as “Noble Beast” comes to being catchy.
That said, those of a certain inclination are bound to enjoy another typical dose of Andrew Bird, and it certainly isn’t a musical tragedy. However, it is fabulously disappointing that in a day and age where hundreds of artists are competing for your attention, Andrew Bird has refused to use his fascinating musical ability to create the zeitgeist of an album of which he is surely capable, instead acquiescing with a record that could quite easily have been released by any number of relatively unknown folk artists back in the 90s.
As far as I can see, “Noble Beast”‘s greatest asset is that it’s fantastic music to work to. It’s regrettably unlikely to distract you.
Recommended Tracks
Oh No!
Phil Gwyn is a guest-blogger here at PMA. Read his other thoughts on music at Not Many Experts
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oh poo. I love it and am sad that it didn’t strike your fancy.
just for the record, it took a few listens before I realized how good it was. perhaps give it another couple of spins?
Same here, I think it’s a great record and it also took me at least 10 listens.
I really hoped that it would grow on me as well, Hanan, but each listen just seemed to re-affirm how middle of the road it all sounded to me. Glad that you can enjoy it though!
what? you want him to attain your zeitgeist. i’ll settle for his zeitgeist.
yah it may not have the boppers bopping but it is infinitely superior to most crap being put out today. Even that which comes from his alma mater.
oops i just see where the reviewer blogs and i don’t want pick on the dilettante.
Hmm … interesting review. I actually haven’t made any solid conclusions myself other than the fact that I love “Effigy.”
you should quit blogging yesterday.
i actually really liked this album
like most of andrew bird’s work it doesnt feel life changing, but its got some great melodies to get stuck in your head for a couple weeks
i couldn’t disagree more. i think people may like fleet foxes/bon iver more b/c they are the new hot thing, but the truth of the matter is, Andrew Bird has been around awhile, he has already proven he is heads and tails above everyone else doing what he is doing. I really dislike all these people who are all only about the *new* buzz bands b/c they want to be *hip* and *scene*. Why does his album have to be *catchy*? He is not super mainstream, nor does he care to be. Not everyone cares about creating pop hooks and lyrics, some people actually create meaningful and good music.
Verily, this album is lacklustre in extenso . Not what we had hoped from the man who sculpted the aural masterpiece that is “The Trees Were Mistaken”. All in all, piish and twaddle.
Andrew Bird is amazing, and I have a really hard time understanding this review. I know you are not alone– as I have attempted to win people over to the Bird side of life, and more times than often, their feedback is simular to this.
But I still don't get it. How can someone have a true appreciation and ear for good music and not like this? Beats me…
Andrew Bird is amazing, and I have a really hard time understanding this review. I know you are not alone– as I have attempted to win people over to the Bird side of life, and more times than often, their feedback is simular to this.
But I still don't get it. How can someone have a true appreciation and ear for good music and not like this? Beats me…