Artist: Andrew Bird
Album: Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of
Bitrate: 225kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Wegawam
Genre: Folk
Size: 60.24 megs
PlayTime: 0h 35min 33sec total
Rip Date: 2014-08-12
Store Date: 2014-06-27
Track List:
--------
01. Cathedral in the Dell 3:59
02. Tin Foiled 3:26
03. Giant of Illinois 3:31
04. So Much Wine, Merry Christmas 3:31
05. My Sister's Tiny hands 3:44
06. The Sad Milkman 3:29
07. Don't Be Scared 3:21
08. Frogs Singing 2:44
09. Drunk by Noon 3:01
10. Far From Any road (Be My Hand) 4:47
Release Notes:
--------
Since the late æ90s Andrew Bird has been churning out genre-bending music on a
regular basis. Whether you find yourself enamored with BirdÆs swing-inspired
beginnings, his chamber-leaning indie rock or his most recent foray into
pseudo-traditionalism with Hands of Glory, Bird always infuses a powerful sense
of personality into his tunes. Perhaps thatÆs why Things Are Really Great Here,
Sort Of feels like much more than an album filled with covers. Although all of
the songs were originally penned by The Handsome Family, the prolific
alt-country duo responsible for True DetectiveÆs theme song, Bird has breathed a
new life into these songs thanks to the help of his backing band The Hands of
Glory, featuring Tift Merritt on guitar.
Throughout the years Andrew Bird has been well-acquainted with the work of The
Handsome Family; he played violin on their album In The Air back in 2000 and has
since covered a handful of their songs like ôTin Foil,ö ôToo Much Wineö and
ôDonÆt Be Scaredö on various live and studio recordings. Perhaps thatÆs why
these new adaptations feel so effortless. The words seem to slowly tumble from
BirdÆs mouth and glide along with the smooth instrumentation, rising and falling
along with the dynamic flow of these songs.
The Handsome FamilyÆs songs contain powerful and vivid narratives that lend
themselves wonderfully to BirdÆs naturally emotive vocal stylings. Tracks like
ôMy SisterÆs Tiny Handsö and ôThe Giant of Illinoisö evoke strong imagery thanks
to the poignant lyricism, but BirdÆs soul-shaking, lilting croon drives these
stories deep into the listenerÆs heart. As Tift MerrittÆs harmonies gradually
bleed into the mix, the two vocal timbres mesh beautifully into one
serendipitous sound.
While The Handsome FamilyÆs songwriting abilities are certainly a key aspect to
the albumÆs overall quality, Bird and all of his eccentricities have twisted
these songs into something fresh and original. His trademark blend of pizzicato
plucks and soaring strings transform tracks that were once barn-burning, gothic
rockers like ôFar From Any Road (By My Hand)ö into soothing swirls of serenity.
ItÆs easy to lose yourself inside of the tumbling rhythms and undulating
melodies, as Bird toys with your attention by drawing focus to the blank spaces
as much as the crescendos. These songs are tightly wound and hell-bent on
unraveling into fits of enchanting whistling and gorgeous violin solos.
All in all, Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of seems to stand at the
intersection of BirdÆs latest releases. ThereÆs a heavy focus on folk and
traditionalism; sometimes Bird is churning out rustic fiddle lines as Merritt
gently plucks an acoustic, but other times heÆs leaning towards the expansive
arrangements that could be found on Pulaski At Night or Break It Yourself.
Ultimately, Bird continues to prove himself to be a versatile musician whoÆs as
capable at fresh adaptations of country-leaning tunes as he is forward-thinking
arrangements of his own.