Customer Reviews

Hands of Glory

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Andrew Bird's new eight track release 'Hands Of Glory' can, in some
ways, be seen as an addenda to his album 'Hands Of Glory' which saw
the light of day in March this year (and what a joy it was!). Recorded
with his live band in modest circumstances these compositions show
another side of this hugely talented artist (why isn't he better known
and loved on these shores?) There is an immediacy and intimacy about
the project which is quite delightful. In several of the songs he seems
to release his inner-cowboy. There's a sort of quirky Wild West ambience
hanging in the air, particularly in the opening track 'Three White Horses',
which ambles along with the wind in its hair, as though across a wide
open plain stretching out to an infinite and unknowable horizon. You can
almost smell the campfire! The gentle percussion, reverb-sodden electric
guitar and rich vocal harmonies light up the night sky with enormous pathos.
'Rairoad Bill' has some tasty fiddle and finger-picking and a wonderfully
hokey vocal turn; 'Orpheo' is a simple and moving ballad which wears its
heart on its sleeve with one of the sweetest melodies Mr Bird has conceived
and the gorgeous 'Spirograph' channeling Roy Orbison with its melancholy lilt.

More than an add-on, less than a fully-formed whole, 'Hands Of Glory' is
nonetheless a fine ancillary contribution to Mr Bird's fine body of work.

Highly Recommended.

I'm a big Andrew Bird fan, i would say my favourite album is Noble Beast. Hands of Glory is very different to his other albums. Railroad Bill, which is a fantastic song, sounds Bob Dylan-esque, If i Needed You is quite folky. I don't love every song, but if your a big fan than its worth owning because there are some great songs.

I would suggest you get a taster of the songs on his website and then make up your mind. You can listen to Three White Horses.

I have many of Andrew Birds albums and while this one is a slow burn, eventually the true beauty of the music shines through. Play it once and it'll seem bland and samey. Play it a lot and it is indispensible. Give it time it'll pay you back in dividends.