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Music Video: Andrew Bird, "Fitz and Dizzyspells"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:42:34 PST

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. In addition, there's a man in a banana costume, another man in flippers, a flaming arrow, and plenty of shots of Bird's feet clad in argyle socks. The video uses a live version of the song, and while it's a little less glossy and produced than the album version, it also apparently inspires a parade, and it's hard to argue with that. So, to check it out, just

Andrew Bird with Mucca Pazza - "Fitz & The Dizzyspells”

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:36:15 PST

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. In fact, one reviewer even declared, "The first great album of 2009 has arrived." I am already really enjoying tracks including "My Girls" and "Brother Sport." Take a listen for yourself and let me know if you think this is the best 2009 has to offer so far!

Breakout time? I've noted before that Andrew Bird's record label hopes this album makes him a breakout star, and there are certainly songs on here that are catchy enough to make their way to the mainstream. Check out tracks like "Fitz and the Dizzyspells" and "Not a Robot But a Ghost" for a taste of those breakout elements folks are talking about and "Anonanimal" for classic Bird wordplay.

One more still to come, so

A new pretty and quirky pop voice: I'd never heard of Anya Marina, whose new album is out today, until I gave her songs a whirl just now, but they're all super cute. Her voice is delicate and youthful, and her pop hooks have just enough quirk to make them distinctive. I couldn't resist sharing my discovery! Check out "All the Same to Me" and "Cowboy" for a taste of what I'm loving about this artist.

First Listen: Andrew Bird's Noble Beast

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:30:21 PST

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. I don't disagree with that; there are a few songs on here that I could even hear on the radio. But if you're a longtime Bird fan that shouldn't make you wary; the catchier songs here are among his best. My one reservation at first listen is that the album doesn't really build from his 2007 release, Armchair Apocrypha, which had a lot of tracks that just seemed to soar. Noble Beast is more restrained, maybe, but I can still see it becoming a staple in my collection, especially with some time to let the lyrics sink in. To see my first impressions of each track, just

"Oh No" - A track we've heard in progress and a great way to start the album, with Bird's signature whistling and looping and a toe-tapping, catchy rhythm. I love the layering of sounds, from the vocal tones to the hand claps that kick in partway through.
"Masterswarm" - Starts out in a minor key, slow and brooding, but after about 90 seconds, this track picks up a syncopated, almost Brazilian beat and lyrics delivered in a style reminiscent of spoken word. At more than six minutes, it's maybe a touch too long, but really picks up again toward the end.
"Fitz and the Dizzyspells" - This track sounds like it could be a pop hit, very bright and cheery right from the start. But it's very much an Andrew Bird pop song, with string-plucking, a whistling bridge, and an exhortation to "soldier on."
"Effigy" - Concerned the album might be too pop after "Fitz"? Not so much with this track, which starts out with almost a full minute of layered strings. Bird's voice takes center stage on this one and sounds richer and more immediate than typical. Love the backing vocals and the waltz-like rhythm.
"Tenuousness" - A very cool rhythm drives this track, constantly changing just enough to keep it engrossing. Very wordy, too - someday I'll go decipher all of the lyrics. One of my early favorites.
"Nomenclature" - Not such a big fan of this one on first listen. By Bird's standards, it's almost spartan until about the halfway point, when it suddenly gets very noisy. A little too repetitive for my tastes.
"Ouo" - This 20-second "track" seems like a transition between two parts of the album, no more and no less.
"Not a Robot But a Ghost" - Rhythmic, catchy, and yet somehow still not terribly memorable on first listen - but I imagine this one will creep back into my head later on, especially once I've had a chance to process the breakup-song lyrics.
"Unfolding Fans" - Another brief interlude, just a minute of violin.
"Anonanimal" - Wow, so much classic Bird wordplay in this one; my tongue feels twisty just thinking about it. Nice, big build in the middle. I'll definitely be listening to this track again.
"Natural Disaster" - Really slows it down here. This song's maybe as close to a straight-up ballad as I've heard from Bird. Very pretty; not too thrilling.
"Privateers" - This is another slow track, but with more of a backing beat; I found myself tapping my toes about halfway through it. It's not as soaring as some of the songs earlier on the album, but it's another one I'll revisit for sure.
"Souverian" - More than seven minutes long, "Souverian" seems like a couple of different but related songs. I found myself a little bored by the first half, but the second half is steady and haunting.
"On Ho" - Very, very pretty violin, but not the engaging song I'd hoped for to close the album. (No matter; I'll just listen to "Oh No" or "Tenuousness" again instead.)

Song of the Day: Andrew Bird, "Oh No"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:31:14 PDT

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. It cheered up my Monday afternoon big time, so to see if it'll do the same for you

Oh No - Andrew Bird

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We Go Dingo For These Adorable Pups!

Sara Yoo — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:00:00 PST

Four dingo pups entered the world in January at the Tierpark Friedrichsfelde Zoo in Berlin, and at nearly two months old, they are cute as can be. Long perceived as pests by the modern livestock industry, these wild canines are still a vital part of Australia's ecological landscape and natural history. Click through to see some darling dingo pups, and learn a few facts about these noble feral beasts!