Just leaked on the 12th. What does everyone think?

I've only had enough time to listen to a little bit of it, and what I've listened to I've liked a lot. The album unfolds like a story.

Doesn't do anything for me like most of Andrew Bird. This guy can write pretty pleasant and non offensive music though.

Gotta agree with Cheesyp00f. It is pretty vague and uninteresting, unlike most of the other stuff he's done.

I do like "Not a Robot, But a Ghost" though. That's a good song, very creative and cool. Maybe the rest of the album will grow on me.

Highlights:

"Oh No"
"Nomenclature"
"Effigy"
"Anonanimal"

The album drags a bit too much, due to some songs being very long and drawn out. Overall, not too bad, it's enjoyable, but it wears out its welcome a bit too much being 55 minutes or so. Good, not great. Not going to win any new fans over to his side.

quote:

Originally posted by Cheesyp00f:
Doesn't do anything for me like most of Andrew Bird. This guy can write pretty pleasant and non offensive music though.

I agree to some extent about the new one. Can't say I've played it enough to really get a true opinion yet. (It doesn't really call you back for repeat listens either, which isn't a good thing.) However, Mysterious Production of Eggs is the shit. It deserves a hell of a lot better than being catagorized as merely non-offensive and pleasant.

I think that at this point it's my second favourite album of his. I am really surprised by a lukewarm response this album is receiving so far. i think it's great and by no means a disappointment. It is a little too long though, I agree. I could live without Natural Disaster and The Privateers.

I'm in love with the man's voice, so I have a feeling I'm still going to like whatever Noble Beast sounds like.

Has anyone heard the instrumental album that comes with the deluxe edition? I'm wondering if it's worth the 26 dollar preorder cost, or if I should just go for the 13 dollar version that is only the basic album.

You can base your reply on the fact that I'm a huge Andrew Bird fan that loves most everything he has made, and flew several hundred miles to see him perform live. But 13 more dollars is a lot of money for an instrumental bonus album.

Maybe I'm just looking for someone to talk me into it.

quote:

Originally posted by The Shad'Cracker Ballet:
You can base your reply on the fact that I'm a huge Andrew Bird fan that loves most everything he has made, and flew several hundred miles to see him perform live. But 13 more dollars is a lot of money for an instrumental bonus album.

Haha that's hilarious.

Anyway it seems like any bonus material would be tailormade for his die-hard fans. Like you.

In response to what Shad had said, I really want that bonus disc it comes with. I have grown up with Andrew Bird’s output and I have always wanted Bird to branch out and write downright classical music. He grew up with it, it plays a prominent role on his current music and he is one of those musicians that just know how to write real compositions. The idea of instrumentals is absolutely fantastic.

But I am torn because I want the LP version ($22-26) but it doesn't seem like the bonus disc is included with the LP. And that really stinks because if I want both, I will need to pay near $50 to get both. I guess I will need to call the label and inquire about this.

I really like Noble Best. Not quite as much as mysterious production of eggs, but I thought that this album was pretty strong. Dont think I'm gonna spring for the Deluxe edition though, too much cash.

quote:

Originally posted by Fraggy the Snowman:
In response to what Shad had said, I really want that bonus disc it comes with. I have grown up with Andrew Bird’s output and I have always wanted Bird to branch out and write downright classical music. He grew up with it, it plays a prominent role on his current music and he is one of those musicians that just know how to write real compositions. The idea of instrumentals is absolutely fantastic.

But I am torn because I want the LP version ($22-26) but it doesn't seem like the bonus disc is included with the LP. And that really stinks because if I want both, I will need to pay near $50 to get both. I guess I will need to call the label and inquire about this.

Man, that would be totally lame. That's the kindof thing that kills vinyl. I wish he just sold the instumental album later as an actual release at the price of an EP. I think instrumental arrangements need more respect anyway, and I'm sure it's top quality.

I remember him talking early on in Noble Beast's recording that he was working on an instrumental album that was going to be released after it. I'm sortof sad that is just turned into a bonus disk.

Well, I guess I'll look on the positive side. Buying the deluxe version to get the instrumental album is actually better for fans, because the price at which you can get the extra disc will be less than if he released the two separately. It's a nice treat given by Bird to the fans.

Although, I do agree, it won't get the respect because it'll be a bonus disc, and the only way to get the instrumental disc is if you want to shell out dough for Noble Beast as well.

Yeah, I realize I'm totally contradicting myself when I say that I wish he had released the instrumental album separately, and I also wish it wasn't so expensive.

I'm sure I will end up getting the deluxe album in the end. I'm just sad that Andrew's passion and hard work was sidelined to a bonus disk.

Here's what I think would have been a better business move. Release Nobel Beast early in the year and then wait until late in the year when people have forgotten about the Beast and sell an instrumental album for a discount price, or for a cheap digital download from the label site. This would make people feel like they were getting two Andrew Bird albums in 2009, would keep his name out there so he isn't instantly forgotten about in the onslaught of new albums next year, and his instrumental album may actually get some good credit as a real album.

Just thinking. Who knows... maybe Useless Creatures turned out to be not so great.

Psst... you can hear the instrumental album in its entirety on his website right now:

http://andrewbird.net/useless.php

I wonder if Mark F will jump in this thread when it's released? I actually got into Andy because of him when I first joined this forum...

Anyways, I'm glad that this album came out... it makes up for the meh qualities of Armchair.

quote:

Originally posted by jack(gl)ass:
Anyways, I'm glad that this album came out... it makes up for the meh qualities of Armchair.

Glad to hear you say that. I haven't heard it yet, but I also thought Armchair Apocrypha was pretty mediocre (apart from a couple really good songs), certainly nowhere near as good as Eggs.

Armchair Apocrypha was beeeeeautiful...his voice was the best I've ever heard it and the lyrics were particularly great. It probably could have gotten rid of a track or two, making it feel more immediate, but I feel it was his strongest album yet (haven't heard Noble Beast).

It took me a long time to warm up to Armchair, but now I really like it. I suspect this next album will be the same. His music has a lot of depth to it, and it just takes time to settle into it.

I think I've successfully talked my wife into ordering the deluxe preorder, so I'm more excited now that ever.

Mysterious Production of Eggs - 9.2 Stunning from start to finish.

Armchair Apocrypha - 8.4 Starts amazing, loses a little steam after "Armchairs" and drags to a finish

Noble Beast - 6.8 Insomniacs rejoice!