Album/Concert Review: Andrew Bird, Noble Beast

After seeing Andrew Bird perform on Tuesday night at the 9:30 Club, I was slightly disappointed. Almost all of the songs that he played were from his new album and there were annoying request-shouting-fans that I would expect to see at Hannah Montana shows, not AB shows. For about 15 seconds I pulled the classic hipster move and bitched about how I think Andrew Bird is now more focused on pleasing fans and finding mainstream success than making the quirky music that I so love. But that’s just crazy. On second (and third…fourth…37th…) listen, the songs that he played were from an album that is as adventurous as any of his other ones. I do think that the whistling has gotten a bit out of control (likely due to the fact that fans really do eat it up), but this is a solid album that is perfect for any mood. Also, the deluxe version is 100% worth the extra money. The artwork is gorgeous, the extra instrumental album is hypnotic, and the lyric book is worthy of the finest of coffee tables. Andrew, I still love you and think that you can do no wrong. Favorite tracks are: “Not a Robot, but a Ghost,” “Anoanimal,” and “Effigy.”