Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
Album Review by Claudia Boisvert
Andrew Bird is a gentleman at the prime of life, incorporated to folk music since many years. He has been known for his past band Bowl of Fire (now over) as well as for his violinist talents. In 2003, Bird left the band-life behind him and started a solo career, still going on right now. Through the year, he successfully released six albums on his own, combined to three with Bowl of Fire. Very productive and versatile, he is exploring new sounds with the album he put out earlier this month, Break It Yourself.
Of course, there was no big surprise for those who already knew Andrew Bird : the indie-folk style remains the same; we can hardly mistake him from another. He had already reached a rich sound with his previous album, Noble Beast, but we still can hear some differences between old and new songs (or actually, between some of the old songs). Some experimentations have been carried on, some liberties have been taken, and the result brings a subtle variety from the precedent records that we noticed.
Break It Yourself starts off with “Desperation Breeds”, some questionable title supported by a heavy beginning and vocals surrounded by a harp sound. The melody soothes and began to jingle, even though the lyrics keep that weighty connotation, bringing a not-so-positive vision of life. This was the only point that didn’t had me hooked up, having lyrics and subjects I didn’t related to. The good thing is, it still means something. Through the entire album, Bird displays his writer’s talent by a poetic vocabulary, thoughtful sentences and deep themes. He seems to have a lot to say, and surely knows how to express it.
The record continues with the short musical interlude “Polynation”, in which Bird’s love for violins is quite apparent. “Danse Caribe” follows with an almost Hawaiian-style beginning mixed to slow country, growing into a vivid tune. “Give It Away” is built on the same plucked strings base but its rhythm is more sustained. The catchy “Eyeoneye” is the next song to start, from which the title Break It Yourself comes of (intriguingly speaking of breaking your own heart by yourself). “Lazy Projector” has a slow beginning cooling off “Eyeoneye”’s final and brings well-chosen notes as well as some historical/mythical references you might like, supported by violins’ velvety sound.
“Near Death Experience” brings a variant by adding an electro sound to Bird’s usual instruments, whilst “Behind The Barn” take us back to classical music during its short interlude. The next track, “Lusitania”, lights up the atmosphere with the collaboration of the singer Annie Clark and her sweet voice. The tone is maintained with “Orpheo Looks Back”, an eventful folk melody, but quietens down with “Sifters”. The slow “Fatal Shore” follows with some prog rock influences, then “Hole In The Ocean Floor” continues with a long instrumental part interspersed of slow vocals. The album is over by the sweet “Belles”, a tender lullaby contrasting with the other songs. This appeasing interlude makes the record ends on a positive note, and it’s worth listening.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Website: http://www.andrewbird.net/
