Customer Reviews

Oh - The Grandeur

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love this album- Andrew Bird's first two releases are remarkable, but this (his sophomore release) was, I think, an overall step-up from his debut, "Thrills." One of the hardest things I had to do last fall was select which songs from his first two albums would go on a burnt CD mix... There were too many...

I came to Mr. Bird when I discovered that he played violin on SqrlNtZprs albums. I wanted more SNZ, loved the directions they pursued with 'Perennial Favorites' but didn't care at all for 'Bedlam Ballroom.' The production, I felt was all wrong and stood in the way of any judments I could make concerning the album. It sounded slick, polished- and I couldn't stand that. So I tracked down some solo releases by individual members of the Zippers and ended up with the pleasure of Mr. Bird's music. When I first got this CD it didn't leave my CD player for a week and a half, which is rare, as I'm an impatient, moody, feckless, hard to please music aficianado...

Genre-wise this is all over the place, certainly not jazz or swing (not entirely at least, though by grounding himself in the music of a bygone era, Mr. Bird invokes a moody, theatrical vibe that stays with you). All the players know their place and everyone works tightly to maintain the overall ambience of the album. The mood, I feel is equal parts Kurt Weill, Tom Waits and something that is Mr. Bird's own entirely. His voice is on the good side of competent with a (fake?) slight accent and the perfect diction of singers from the 30's. In my head I imagine him looking like the singer from 'The Hudsucker Proxy,' from the scnene where all the women fawn over him (yeah, I know it takes place in the fifties which is the wrong time period, but still...).

The earthy, folk-tinged, gypsy melodies that he conjures from his violin are beautiful to hear and call to mind strange images and memories. His playing is sublime. The lyrics are intelligent, playful, at times macabre and surreal. The CD comes with a tiny notebook of liner notes and lyrics, explanations, etc, done up in a style that seems to be in league with the era that he's channeling.

Some stand out tracks are 'Beware' (very Tom Waits-esque lyrics, a dark and tempestuous little number), 'Feetlips' (sung with an almost Hungarian, Bela Lugosi accent), 'Tea and Thorazine,' (quite eerie), '(What's Your) Angle,' (a rousing, jazzy, upbeat swinging little tune)... Hell, they're all good.

On top of that, "Wait," has to be one of the most beautiful slow-songs I have heard in forever and a day. It's practically BEGGING to have a scene in a romantic movie built around it. The violin is eerie and gorgeous and demonstrates that Mr. Bird isn't all pyrotechnic showman's flash. He can play just as mesmerizingly great when the mood is soft and restrained.

Length - 48:18
Oh! The Grandeur! Andrew Bird is one of the greatest non sequiturs of my time. If this man lived in the 40s or 50s, I think he'd be considered one of the greatest song writers ever. He would have fit right in with Django Reinhardt or Irving Berlin, but at least he found the Squirrel Nut Zippers in his generation. He got his start with the Zippers, playing with them live for the first time in New Orleans, then staying on tour with them for the remainder of the year. Although this album strays a bit from the cherry poppin' verve of the Zippers, it's still fantastic in its own right. Some songs are just laughably lamentable. I don't know if these tracks are meant to be serious or what, but they come off as quite lugubrious, yet still thoroughly enjoyable. Other songs like Tea & Thorazine and Coney Island Shuffle are zestful cavalcades of swings, quips and thrills. My favorite song on here is the awesome closer, Drinking Song. If you're in the mood for a very different, very fun album, try this out.

This album is seductive and fun, dark and poetic--I absolutely love it! If you close your eyes while you play it, you can almost imagine that you are in some dark, incredibly chic lounge. There is red velvet everywhere, cool looking couches, and candles providing most of the light. Yes, this is that sort of album. Like a good vacation, it takes you someplace new and in the end you are better for the experience.

The use of violin and vocals on this album is positively brilliant. There is a jazzy sound which permeates every song.

Included with the CD is a small booklet (measuring 2.5"x1.5") which includes "testimonials, explanatory text, sing along lyric sheets, with illustrations, supplied as a complementary amusement." It boasts being, "an assortment of new songs, intermezzi, two-steps, and waltzes by the popular musical group, Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire." And so it is!

There are two reasons you should buy this album. The first is that it is probably unlike any you already have in your collection. The second is that it is DAMN GOOD!

My friends are starting to get annoyed with me. Whenever talk of music comes up, I inevitably wind up blathering on about Andrew Bird and how incredible his music is.

I bought Oh! The Grandeur about a month ago, and haven't stop listening to it since. I've had Thrills for a good long while, and it's also been in very heavy rotation for me.

The songs on Oh! The Grandeur are slower than most of those on Thrills, and really show off Andrew's vocal talents. The arrangements are complex and executed with formidable skill; "Feetlips" and "Vidalia" are great examples, reminding me of Thrills' "Gris-Gris". Other favorite tracks of mine are "Candy Shop" and "Wishing for Contentment".

All in all, this is one of the best CDs I've bought in a long, long time. You'll be overjoyed with it if you like SNZ and the authentic hot jazz sound. Bird's wonderful lyrics, vocals, and violin really mustn't be missed.

When I talk about Andrew Bird I rarely end up making any sense at all. The reason for this is that Andrew Bird is so good that I can't put my thoughts into words. Every song on Oh! The Grandeur is brilliant and I don't even know what to say in order to really communicate exactly the extent to which each one is may be the best thing you'll ever listen to. Here it is: The song "Wait". That's it. Listen to the song "Wait". It's hard to say that it's my favorite song on the album because almost every song is a close call for that distinction, but good lord this is a good song. Don't sit here any longer reading reviews- Buy this album now.

This is a great secound album! If you never heard of the first "thrills", you dont know what your missing! The guitar is strong and the violin is what sets them apart! the bass is steady, and the drums keep the beet going. Andrew Bird is a master of 20s 30s sound and is the master in my opinion! Every song on this Cd is very different from the last so you can listen over and over!!!

Very strong album, but so is the first.

I have to say I am partial to this band for a few reasons other than their awesome music. My guitar teacher is their guitar player (Colin Bunn), and I also support music that is unknown and produced by teachers and friends. This however doesn't mean that the album is weak or lame by any means. I just wanted those of you who tend to have superstitions that I may not be the best judge of this cd. That said THIS ALBUM ROCKS. It isn't for the faint of heart. There are no Cherry Poppin' Daddies or other neo-swing groups present. This is jazz and swing straight from the history books. The music was recorded mostly live with one microphone with slight overdubs which is great because this band plays a mean live set. Bird has a crooner's voice but also get's down and dirty on some of the tracks. His voice is a s versitile as his violin playing. I would reccomend this album to anyone who is looking for something different in swing and style. Or looking to have a good time.

Quirky and bizarre as we've come to expect from Bird, but sounding more like Venuti and Lang or the Hot Club of Paris than ever before, Bowl of Fire and their leader managed to not only hit the high standard they set for themselves with "Thrills," they surprassed it in both songwriting and playing.

As usual, the lyrics are often nonsensical and humorous ("Dora Goes to Town", "(What's Your) Angle"), even when the subject isn't ("Tea and Thorazine", about autism). The melodies will stay in your mind for weeks to come ("Wishing for Contentment"). The band is tighter than SNZ ever were, and the solos show a real appreciation for 20s/30s hot music. This band could play circles around some others born in the swing fad of the late 90s, and could probably sit right in with any of the small combos they idolize. "Candy Shop," at last minute addition to the record, shows the band in what must have been a quickly thrown together studio session for an addition to a movie soundtrack but is nonetheless impeccably played.

Gone, however, are the country blues songs that ended "Thrills", but a consistant theme flows through the record, something that felt missing from the first album. The production also manages to hold a retro aspect without becoming muddy or too lo-fi for the casual listener. A few songs from the middle and end drag from lack of energy or creativity, but the good stuff far outweights the bad.

Andrew Bird's Great Bowl Of Fire, leaves off after his last album "Thrills", with continued awe inspiring music. If you like old 1920,30's, quirky unusual violin (and vocal) style of music you will love this album. Mr Bird's careful care of notation and placement of his music is quite evident. Very unique and bold style of music. His violin and vocal style rival any contemporary artist I have heard in a long long long time.

Andrew Bird has delivered. Swirling melodies and violin riffs you can taste. I have been a fan of the "Zippers" for many years, but "Bowl of Fire's" new album "Oh, the Grandeur" is a collection of everything I love about music. Funky, smooth, and chaotic, Andrew Bird contains an explosion of sound into an experience. So, yeah, I liked it a lot. Don't be afraid...get it now.