As we reflect on the year's best everything, I'm dragging out all of the CDs that are likely to make my best of 2007 list, including Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird. In addition to being the most handsome and sharply dressed multi-instrumentalist of 2007, Bird makes some of the most surprisingly danceable music around, despite the fact that violin is one of his primary instruments. That fact Read more

Back in March, I guessed that Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha could end up on my year-end best albums list, and so far, it's holding up quite well. So I was thrilled when Pitchfork tipped me off to the new video for Bird's "Imitosis," one of the tracks from the album that's most likely to be wedged in my head at any given moment. From his lyrics, Bird has often seemed to have a fascination with Read more

In the din of hype surrounding the new albums by Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, and the forthcoming Wilco and Bright Eyes, you might miss the quiet genius of Andrew Bird's new release, Armchair Apocrypha. But after spending a few weeks with the album, which hits stores today, I'm already willing to say it's likely to end up on my year-end best list. The hippest thing ever to happen to the pizzicato Read more