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Music Video: Andrew Bird, "Fitz and Dizzyspells"
Of all the songs on Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast, "Fitz and Dizzyspells" was the one I most wanted to see get the music video treatment. The song's upbeat and undeniably catchy, and I envisioned something with a lot of marching to mirror the refrain to "soldier on."
But I couldn't have expected the sweet little video Bird's released for the song, which is filmed at several locations in Chicago (including live music venue The Hideout) and includes the visual and musical stylings of Mucca Pazza, a quirky local marching band.
What to Download: New Music Today
Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here are today's selections:
Collective good: The new Animal Collective album is getting a lot of praise and buzz already.
First Listen: Andrew Bird's Noble Beast
I believe a new Andrew Bird album is always something to celebrate — I even made his upcoming Noble Beast one of my entertainment must haves for the month. So when I heard that NPR was offering a free early listen to the new album, I could scarcely click in fast enough.
Noble Beast is an interesting album for Bird; his record label thinks it's the one that could make him a breakout star.
Link Time! 11/20
- Dear Gossip Girl: Please get rid of Aaron Rose. XOXO. — Buddy TV
- Ben Lyons sucks some information from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke.
Song of the Day: Andrew Bird, "Oh No"
Way back in April we got a taste of "Oh No," one of the tracks that will be included on Andrew Bird's next album, Noble Beast, from a video of Bird playing the song live. Now that it's all produced and polished, I'm love-love-loving it. It is signature Andrew Bird — whistling, strings, dark lyrics accompanying a buoyant tune — but this one's got a fun little drumbeat and hand claps and I think some tambourine.
Link Time! 9/9
- Apple has upgraded its iPod Nano, iPod Touch, and iTunes application. — geeksugar
- Five reasons to look forward to ABC's The Unusuals — already! — TV Squad
- On a scale of 1 to 10: What's the likelihood you'll see the just-announced Jessica Alba movie, An Invisible Sign of My Own?
A Musical Interlude: Animated Video for Andrew Bird's "Lull"
Wow, I just totally zoned out to this video for Andrew Bird's aptly titled "Lull," and now, I gotta admit, I'm feeling pretty calm and peaceful. The combination of Bird's soothing voice and the animated maritime narrative that accompanies the song has a, well, lulling effect. According to Stereogum, this version of "Lull" has been reworked by Chicago-based band Dianogah, and the animation was done by Lisa Barcy.
New Andrew Bird Song (In Progress): "Oh No"
We rarely get to peek behind-the-scenes at a musician's songwriting process. Singers and bands put out their albums, go on tour playing those songs, then return to the studio to write and record some more — and we don't hear much about it till the next album arrives, fully formed.
Andrew Bird is doing things a bit differently: Recently, he blogged for the New York Times about the process of putting together his next album.
Link Time! 4/8
- Kanye West, Jim Henson, and Where the Wild Things Are? Thank you, Vulture.
- Cinematical discusses the problem of renting DVDs with your significant other.
- Popwatch takes sides in this week's stupid feud: Snoop Dogg vs. Barack Obama.
- Give Me My Remote analyzes The Office-centric cover of TV Guide.
- The MTV Movies Blog has a clip from the upcoming Uma Thurman-Evan Rachel Wood movie The Life Before Her Eyes (which also happens to be this month's Buzz Book Club selection!).
- If you can't wait for Idol Gives Back, TV Squad has a report from the Kodak Theater taping.
- Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Daily explains the keys to a proper viewing of Celebrity Fit Club.
- Andrew Bird is magnificent live and YouAintNoPicasso has evidence with an MP3 of Bird performing "Scythian Empire."
- In case my Rachel Dratch casting challenge isn't enough, the TV Addict has some other actors who desperately need jobs — including most of the stars of The West Wing.
Link Time! 3/27
- Filmonic has a pretty awesome rundown of which actors would play the Simpsons characters in a live-action Simpsons movie. My favorites are Allison Janney as Mrs. Krabappel and Kevin Smith as Comic Book Guy.
- The Ausiello Report has the strangest news that a Prison Break character we thought was dead is alive after all. Huh?
- Cinematical claims the movie 21 proves that sometimes a film can be reviewed entirely from its trailer.
- Popwatch has a helpful — and very funny — video that will catch you up on Dancing With the Stars, just in case you didn't catch all 3.5 hours of it this week.
- TV Filter wonders why John Adams is the most boring character in HBO's John Adams.
- According to Stereogum, even Juliana Hatfield is addicted to watching The Hills (though she simultaneously hates it).
- Give Me My Remote is glad that a Battlestar Galactica alum is giving Joss Whedon's Dollhouse some sci fi cred.
- Thanks to You Ain't No Picasso for showing me that Andrew Bird has blogged for the New York Times!
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