This combines Andrew Bird's two 2012 releases (the 14-song Break It Yourself album and its eight-song follow-up, Hands of Glory) into one extended listen. Break It Yourself evokes memories of other classic singer/songwriters, with Bird's personal stamp of world music, jazz, folk, and pop balancing the act. "Danse Caribe" is redolent of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks (and side two of Into the Music, to be exact), with a violin casting its spell around an elliptical chord progression and swaying rhythm. "Give It Away" lopes with a country influence in its harmonies. Hands of Glory was recorded in a more stripped-down fashion, with an intimate group of likeminded musicians surrounding a single microphone. Bird adheres to tradition here, eschewing his artsy side for sounds and vibes from the Americana canon. A spooky spaghetti-western rendition of The Handsome Family's "When That Helicopter Comes" wanders slightly from the purely rustic feel, but surprisingly jaunty covers of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You" and Alpha Consumer's "Spirograph" capture a balanced approach to country and folk. - iTunes
CD Details
- Release Date: October 30, 2012
- Record Label: Mom & Pop Music
- UPC: 858275008722
- Number of Discs: 2
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