What is really gorgeous about this album is its simplicity. It is lush. It has whistling, of course. It contains lyrical violin melodies, harmonics and double stops (playing more than one note on the violin at a time). All of that, but it never overdoes it. It is not packed full of too many layers or multiple vocals doubled or tripled. It is like going to a barn party and jamming out to folk music with your friends. And, actually, that is how this album all came about too. He took his time with the production of Break It Yourself, also, not rushing to release, but relaxed a bit since Noble Beast. I think the record reflects that, it is reposeful and pared down. At almost precisely an hour of music, it is longer than usual, and only two songs are brief thoughts. There are not a lot of upbeat songs either. The first song, "Desperation Breeds" is about as heavy as the album gets, with a few more layers to unpeel, a groove that sets in nicely and a mid-section that blossoms. But, what Break It Yourself might consequently lack in energy it makes up for in beauty.
Even by track three, "Danse Carribe", I was drawn into the subtle lyricism, untamed nature and ethereal nature of the album. Of course, as you will hear, "Danse Carribe" becomes something more intense, with rhythm flowing underneath and a nod to Caribbean steel drums [on the guitar]--folk music in general. "Give It Away" is also very intelligent, with lots of violin pizzicato and changing tempos/sections. Annie Clark, I believe makes an appearance with her soft vocals as well, on "Give It Away", "Near Death Experience Experience", and "Lusitania". I love the intro to "Lazy Projectors", it is so Queen-ish, but lo-fi, kind of a haziness to it--very cool mixing. "Near Death Experience Experience" is as close to a song from Armchair Apocrypha as it comes, probably my favorite sound of Andrew Bird's, except maybe for the upbeat gigue like true folk dances, as in "Orpheo Looks Back". Wikipedia labels this album as Baroque Pop, probably because of this style and all the pizzicato, but I do not think they realize a song like this is not actually Baroque Pop, but really just real back hills folk. The longest track on Break It Yourself, "Hole in the Ocean Floor" is really pleasant too, with simple ukelele [actually strummed violin] rhythm, but grows and washes over you like being under the waves as they pass by with all the strings. Nice fade too. Finally, "Belles" is like being out in the middle of a field at night, taking in the crickets and just enjoying the hot summer weather or the stars. A peaceful resolution to a sublime listening experience.
So, go to NPR before they take down the link! Or go here, Drowned in Sound, which I think has a link by Bella Union, the UK distributor; or here, Spinner, through AOL. Sorry no 'Monthly Sample Tracks', I do not yet have access to a stream yet that I can embed. Enjoy!
0 comments:
Post a Comment