Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute stunner, 10 Dec 2006
I suppose I should try and be controlled when writing this, but Mysterious production is an album about which I feel slightly compelled to gush. It's an incredibly cohesive effort, which grabs you on almost every level (quite possibly tentaively at first, with one or two songs, then brings you in tight).
To compartmentalise, his layered songs are musically sound, catchy, and interesting. Playing nearly everything himself he mixes loops of virtuoso violin, whistling, singing, guitar, glockenspiel, and on, and on. To create complex layered melodies which are just a joy to listen to.
Lyrically, he's great. They're weird, but then they make sense in a weird way. Obviously Mr Bird is one of those men utterly in love with the english language, and that's alright by me. If he wants to glibly fit in eight rhymes to the word "formaldahyde" on the trot into a song then be my guest. Tables and Chairs clocks in as my favourite for Birds' lyrics, as he reassures the audience that we shouldn't worry about global warming, because we can all meet in the ruined remains of our great cities when the world ends and have a picnic. Well, ya know.
If that's too weird for you, just ignore the lyrics and love the songs. Because you will.
|
|
|
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bird's Woundrous Eggs, 16 Feb 2005
One caution must be shared with those expecting Bird's return to the traditional Hot Jazz of his early days with the Squirrel Nut Zippers, this album may turn out disappointing for them. Not because it lack remarkable merit but because Bird's eggs are in search of new baskets, if you pardon the obvious pun.
As he began to prove, partially in Swimming Hour and even more so in Weather Systems, Andrew Bird has a lot more to say and more genres to explore and enrich. As good as his early work is, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, although a departure, is a remarkable work. Mature, daring, yet far from the half-baked albums you may be used to expect when an artist dares to experiments with a winning formula.
The best way to describe the new output is that it reveals a more tender and brooding musical vision than past recordings, although not devoid of sharp edges. Songs like "Tables and Chairs" and "Measuring Cups" are good examples of this, where the strings remain exquisite, or the lyrics distill a quiet sarcasm ("RX Missiles") yet their melodies visit new territories.
From the whispered Folk of "Sovay" to the Badly Drawn Boy-like Pop of "Opposite Day," Bird pushes the envelope of what he's done before. Actually, a comparison with Damon Gough seems fitting here. Although I would not claim that their songs will remind you of one another's, I was struck by a similar willingness they both show for not resting on their musical laurels.
Whether you have not heard this man or you mourn that recent albums are not what you used to enjoy, this is an excellent album by an artist who takes chances and follows his heart ... as any real artist would. Think of it as one the early jewels of 2005.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect 10, 18 Jul 2007
And I almost NEVER give any album 10 out of 10.
I came late to Mr Bird's music but found myself addicted to this album for months (had to play it at least once a day) and still play it often.
From the sheer beauty of Sovay to the mournful Happy Birthday, I am mesmerised: every listen brings something new and I can't even choose a favourite track.
If you like your lyrics intelligent without being pretentious, your instruments live and varied, and your harmonies ranging from pure to madrigal, you are bound to like this.
I love it, with a passion.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ Andrew Bird
~ Andrew Bird
~ Various Artists
~ Andrew Bird
~ Fleet Foxes
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Amazon Home