by SK PITMAN

Ah, my favorite topic in all of Ornithology (although I like Charlie Parker as well), and my how this Birdian age continues.

Three events define my discovery and have led to my passion for all things Andrew Bird (although, regrettably, I can’t for the life of me remember if 1 or 2 came first, so I’m pretending they both did).

#1: My first exposure came when AB opened for Wilco in Iowa City, Iowa. Unfortunately, my friends wanted to eat before the show, so I ended up spending 30 minutes in a Subway line and missed the first half of his set. Point being: Don’t make friends (or at least hungry ones). Anyhow, when we arrived, I can’t say the balladeer’s performance particularly moved me. Maybe because I was unfamiliar with his music, but most likely it was because he stood in between me and my Wilco. Oddly, what I do remember was the over sized phonograph-looking device stationed directly behind Bird. During one song, this giant monstrosity, which must have housed an equally large amplifier, began to spin and, while doing so. added a crazy warbling effect to whatever sounds were pumping out of that amplifier. Soon, I start to get worried that this thing was going to fly off its swivel and decapitate the entire front row. Anyhow, this was my introduction to Andrew Bird.

#2: I used to wake up to “Heretics” even before I knew who sang the song. As my iPOD alarm’s “purchased” tunes playlist cycled through each morning, “Heretics” began to stand out, first to my wife and then to yours truly. So I investigated. Years later I am now the proud owner of many Andrew Bird albums, and have turned out a much better man because of it.

#3: While checking out residency programs during my third year of pharmacy school, I spent some time en-route to Lexington, Kentucky. The sounds of Armchair Apocrypha dominated the drive. I still recall the places I visited and sights I saw during my trip each time I listen to AA. This represents a phenomenon I like to refer to as “melodo-sensory connectivism,” or, the ability of an album or musical piece to facilitate spontaneous recall of a sensory experience.

Where were we? Oh, yes, the review. Let’s move to the album at hand, where abstract lyricism meets at a multi-instrumental Mecca.

Twisting and turning through a dense overgrowth of sound, Bird on Noble Beast plows through his personal genre at a comfortable clip. Mystery, mastery, and meticulousness define an album which at times transports the listener to a different time and place - and perhaps a better one, at that. Sometimes playful, sometimes peaceful, and sometimes yearning, AB can’t help but make an album, not dosed, but drenched in creative prowess.

“Masterswarm” and “Tenuousness” confidently dominate the record’s first half. And the breakdown in “Fitz and the Dizzyspells” compels even the downtrodden to smile. “Effigy” builds around a simple acoustic guitar line while injecting heavenly vocal harmonies throughout. You can almost picture Bird composing and performing this song on the front porch of a small country home.

The album’s second half doesn’t quite keep pace with the aforementioned portion, but still offers a strong set including several solid numbers such as the multi-layered “Anonanimal”.

A brief digression:

One particular reviewer, from a magazine which shall not be named, spend of a good part of her Noble Beast discourse pointing out how she positively could not interpret any of Bird’s seemingly non-sensical lyrics. I ask this: will this individual please let me know when she has gleaned the deep meanings of Another Side of Bob Dylan?

If you can, pick up this noble offering through E-music [you can do so by simply clicking on the link at the top right of this page]. You’ll get the exclusive bonus track “Take Courage” which fits nicely as a coda to the album.

NOTE: I got through this whole review without saying “whistle”, “whistler”, “violin” or “violinist”.

SK Pitman is a music lover and bird enthusiast who makes his home in the Midwest. You can reach him at stuartkpitman@gmail.com