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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
His beginnings as a violinist long behind him, Chicago-born Andrew Bird has been sculpting ever more complex and convincing musical worlds since his first album in 1997. On his fifth release, Bird offers up no answers to the mysteries in the world around us, but does take on the thornier elements with poetic verve. The instrumentation is bracingly inventive, but never for mere shenanigans or showmanship. The songs are each a perfectly formed vignette. And he's a world class whistler; not the loud summoning blast, but the supple and nuanced vibrato-laced melodicism of a master. There is no shortage of utterly riveting songs here. They work their magic on their own believable terms, without a hint of cloying nostalgia or riff-fueled seduction. - David Greenberger
Product Description
Bird's first studio album in nearly two years, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, is his second on Righteous Babe Records. The album follows Weather Systems, his critically-acclaimed mini-LP, released in spring 2003.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By Juan Mobili
Format:Audio CD
One caution must be shared with those expecting Bird's return to the traditional Hot Jazz of his early days with the Squirrel Nut Zippers, this album may turn out disappointing for them. Not because it lack remarkable merit but because Bird's eggs are in search of new baskets, if you pardon the obvious pun.
As he began to prove, partially in Swimming Hour and even more so in Weather Systems, Andrew Bird has a lot more to say and more genres to explore and enrich. As good as his early work is, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, although a departure, is a remarkable work. Mature, daring, yet far from the half-baked albums you may be used to expect when an artist dares to experiments with a winning formula.
The best way to describe the new output is that it reveals a more tender and brooding musical vision than past recordings, although not devoid of sharp edges. Songs like "Tables and Chairs" and "Measuring Cups" are good examples of this, where the strings remain exquisite, or the lyrics distill a quiet sarcasm ("RX Missiles") yet their melodies visit new territories.
From the whispered Folk of "Sovay" to the Badly Drawn Boy-like Pop of "Opposite Day," Bird pushes the envelope of what he's done before. Actually, a comparison with Damon Gough seems fitting here. Although I would not claim that their songs will remind you of one another's, I was struck by a similar willingness they both show for not resting on their musical laurels.
Whether you have not heard this man or you mourn that recent albums are not what you used to enjoy, this is an excellent album by an artist who takes chances and follows his heart ... as any real artist would. Think of it as one the early jewels of 2005.
As he began to prove, partially in Swimming Hour and even more so in Weather Systems, Andrew Bird has a lot more to say and more genres to explore and enrich. As good as his early work is, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, although a departure, is a remarkable work. Mature, daring, yet far from the half-baked albums you may be used to expect when an artist dares to experiments with a winning formula.
The best way to describe the new output is that it reveals a more tender and brooding musical vision than past recordings, although not devoid of sharp edges. Songs like "Tables and Chairs" and "Measuring Cups" are good examples of this, where the strings remain exquisite, or the lyrics distill a quiet sarcasm ("RX Missiles") yet their melodies visit new territories.
From the whispered Folk of "Sovay" to the Badly Drawn Boy-like Pop of "Opposite Day," Bird pushes the envelope of what he's done before. Actually, a comparison with Damon Gough seems fitting here. Although I would not claim that their songs will remind you of one another's, I was struck by a similar willingness they both show for not resting on their musical laurels.
Whether you have not heard this man or you mourn that recent albums are not what you used to enjoy, this is an excellent album by an artist who takes chances and follows his heart ... as any real artist would. Think of it as one the early jewels of 2005.
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Brian
Format:Audio CD
I really don't write enough reviews for music that I find amazing, due to simple laziness. Now that it is summer, I have little excuse not to preach the gospel of incredible music as much as I can.
Another thing that prompted me to finally write this review was when I saw that the average rating had dropped to 4.5 stars. I don't want to whine about something as meaningless as an amazon rating (the average rating on this site is highly skewed toward the 5 end of the spectrum), but must tell what distinguishes this formerly 5-star album from all of the other 4.5 albums.
For one thing, Andrew Bird is really a rare talent. As a solo artist, he does not just display potential, but rather real, tangible artistry. He is a songwriter, violinist, guitarist, vocalist and of course an excellent whistler.
The way that he can manipulate his many talents is obvious by the intricate and gorgeous melodies filling "The Mysterious Production". Many artists tend to get ahead of themselves and their abilities when they posess such talent, but Bird does nothing of the sort.
Each of the 14 songs on this album are easily digestible, catchy pop melodies. They delightfully range from playfully funny to devastatingly sad to exuberantly happy - helping to make this album easy to listen to in its entirety without boring. All of these aspects furthermore establish that Andrew Bird has not forgot the fading art of making an ALBUM, rather than a collection of singles and filler.
To describe this album in a piecewise fashion; the music sounds of orchestral pop due to the bold stumming of guitar and violin alike; the sounds are incredibly rich and diverse, emerging with all of the depth of an entire orchestra; the lyrics are poetic and playfully pedantic, but never banal; the voice is rich as chocolate and among the best of contemporary musicians; the hooks are excellent and catchy in the best way possible.
I would rate this album a 9.3/10.0, and recommend it to any mature music fan. You would do well to heed my recommendation given my status as a well-respected and genteel 15-year old music fan. Haha. I may lack in years, but it doesn't take much to recognize the glory and magnificence of "The Mysterious Production Eggs". Few other albums in 2005 could compete.
Another thing that prompted me to finally write this review was when I saw that the average rating had dropped to 4.5 stars. I don't want to whine about something as meaningless as an amazon rating (the average rating on this site is highly skewed toward the 5 end of the spectrum), but must tell what distinguishes this formerly 5-star album from all of the other 4.5 albums.
For one thing, Andrew Bird is really a rare talent. As a solo artist, he does not just display potential, but rather real, tangible artistry. He is a songwriter, violinist, guitarist, vocalist and of course an excellent whistler.
The way that he can manipulate his many talents is obvious by the intricate and gorgeous melodies filling "The Mysterious Production". Many artists tend to get ahead of themselves and their abilities when they posess such talent, but Bird does nothing of the sort.
Each of the 14 songs on this album are easily digestible, catchy pop melodies. They delightfully range from playfully funny to devastatingly sad to exuberantly happy - helping to make this album easy to listen to in its entirety without boring. All of these aspects furthermore establish that Andrew Bird has not forgot the fading art of making an ALBUM, rather than a collection of singles and filler.
To describe this album in a piecewise fashion; the music sounds of orchestral pop due to the bold stumming of guitar and violin alike; the sounds are incredibly rich and diverse, emerging with all of the depth of an entire orchestra; the lyrics are poetic and playfully pedantic, but never banal; the voice is rich as chocolate and among the best of contemporary musicians; the hooks are excellent and catchy in the best way possible.
I would rate this album a 9.3/10.0, and recommend it to any mature music fan. You would do well to heed my recommendation given my status as a well-respected and genteel 15-year old music fan. Haha. I may lack in years, but it doesn't take much to recognize the glory and magnificence of "The Mysterious Production Eggs". Few other albums in 2005 could compete.
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album's tone is complex, contemplative, beautiful and melodic is the best of ways.
As always, comparisons of one artist to another help only moderately. However, I can say that those who enjoy Badly Drawn Boy, Lou Barlow, the Frames, The Red House Painters and other such artists will probably find a new friend in "The Mysterious Production of Eggs".
If you like Iron and Wine or Sufjan Stevens, there's also a likelihood of you appreciating Andrew Bird, although Bird is more upbeat than Nick Drake, Iron & Wine or Stevens.
The album's sound quality and production value are perfect; the lyrics are thoughtful, sarcastic, odd and observant rather than superficial or overwhelmed by lamentations of lost love.Bird is an interesting writer, one who may be a fan of Vonnegut's signature black humor.
To catergorize this music is slightly difficult: it embraces singer-songwriter alternative rock quality, neo-folk simplicity and the more contemporary boldness of using multiple instruments (like Badly Drawn Boy does)to complement pleasant, mellow (and sometimes impassioned) vocals.
Bird's release seems right at home with the 2004-5 style of music, but so far his album seems to be the product of the hardest work in editing. If Bird had been around in the 1960s-70s, he may have toured with Simon & Garfunkle, Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens or perhaps Bob Dylan (although, he doesn't neccesarily create the same type of music, his artistic purpose seems tantamount.)
4.8 Stars for this album. Well worth $14, if you can afford it. Otherwise, borrow it from a library or a friend.
As always, comparisons of one artist to another help only moderately. However, I can say that those who enjoy Badly Drawn Boy, Lou Barlow, the Frames, The Red House Painters and other such artists will probably find a new friend in "The Mysterious Production of Eggs".
If you like Iron and Wine or Sufjan Stevens, there's also a likelihood of you appreciating Andrew Bird, although Bird is more upbeat than Nick Drake, Iron & Wine or Stevens.
The album's sound quality and production value are perfect; the lyrics are thoughtful, sarcastic, odd and observant rather than superficial or overwhelmed by lamentations of lost love.Bird is an interesting writer, one who may be a fan of Vonnegut's signature black humor.
To catergorize this music is slightly difficult: it embraces singer-songwriter alternative rock quality, neo-folk simplicity and the more contemporary boldness of using multiple instruments (like Badly Drawn Boy does)to complement pleasant, mellow (and sometimes impassioned) vocals.
Bird's release seems right at home with the 2004-5 style of music, but so far his album seems to be the product of the hardest work in editing. If Bird had been around in the 1960s-70s, he may have toured with Simon & Garfunkle, Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens or perhaps Bob Dylan (although, he doesn't neccesarily create the same type of music, his artistic purpose seems tantamount.)
4.8 Stars for this album. Well worth $14, if you can afford it. Otherwise, borrow it from a library or a friend.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
This is one of those albums people have been telling me about for ages, and I finally bought it and I see now that they were right.
Published 1 month ago by Charlie B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing.
Probably his best album thus far. Andrew Bird is brilliant. I could listen to this album nonstop and never be over it.
Published 2 months ago by Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars
interesting and beautiful
Kind on reminds me of Sufyan Stevens in that the musc is personal and has wonderful rich details. I heard a few of his songs on Pandora and fel lin love. Read more
Published 4 months ago by paige
5.0 out of 5 stars
working backwards and still happy
My introduction to Andrew Bird was Noble Beast. Since then I've been working backward through his older CDs. So far I have loved them all! This one is no exception.
Published 6 months ago by R. Mark Volkmann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
As with every other release he has had, Andrew Bird absolutely nails it in this album. From great catchy beats in Skin Is My and A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left to the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Wilson M.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
Just recently discovered Andrew Bird. This is a good one to start with and get an idea of his original and awesome music.
Published 8 months ago by sloaner13
5.0 out of 5 stars
Andrew Bird is the Best
My friend told me to listen to Andrew Bird. I've been hooked ever since!!! There is one one else like him. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Drew Skokowski
5.0 out of 5 stars
on time and in mint condition
I wasn't sure that the record would come without any scratches, which can often happen when records are shipped. Fortunately, it arrived on time and without any scratches. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Adam Anderson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleased
I sort of bought this out of the blue but wound up really enjoying the music of Andrew Bird. If you like slower and quieter alternative bands this is a good one.
Published 10 months ago by Julia_RoseC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
Amazing, mind blowing, provocative, intelligent, Andrew Bird's music has opened up a new genre for me. One of my favorite artists. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Benjamin S
Listmania!
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