Customer Reviews

Strange Bird

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A year and half since I first bought it and still discovering how good this album is. The depth and richness of both the lyrics and music are simply unparalleled by any contemporary band I've heard. The new album is finally out....living in the States, I'll have to wait a little while for it to arrive. So for the past few weeks I've been listening to this one a lot, and developing a newer, deeper appreciation.
I heard the last 30 seconds or so of "Train" on the radio while flipping through the stations. Made it a point to stay on the station after it was over, to get the band's name. Oggie Mark, or something. Made a mental note to not forget it-the song was too cool and I had to hear the whole thing. Haven't heard them on U.S. radio more than twice since. Went home, went on amazon, typed up the name and- ah- Augie March, from a Saul Bellows novel. Underground Australian band. Read the reviews for this album and figured it was worth the $14.00 or so. Haven't looked back since.
I think the crown jewel of Augie's music is definitely the lyrics. Glen Richards' love of-and mastery of- language is apparent throughout the album. I would go so far as to say, if there was such a thing as virtuoso lyricism, this is it. Glen uses grammar, vocabulary, rhyme, etc., to bend and polish the lines of each song into uncommonly vivid and breathtaking imagery. Every word is necessary, carefully chosen; each song has it's own logic, it's own resolution. I'm no expert on poetry, but a while ago it became a sort of high compliment to call rock musicians "poets"- from Dylan & Morrison to Eminem & Tupac. Well sir, this is poetry. It borders on affectation- lots of "O'"s and "a'"s- and sometimes crosses the line- "Brundisium" (awesome song, but some of the lyrics don't quite do it for me) and particulary "O Song" (I just think songs about songwriting are the height or pretense)- I feel are examples of that. And I'll be honest- I will probably never know what some songs are about ("There's something at the bottom of the Black Pool"- cool imagery, no idea what he's talking about). From what I've gathered Glen is very well read and a lot of these lyrics allude to the works of authors like T.S. Elliot. Again, that might be a wee bit pretenious.
But this is ok; because as high-fallutin' as the lyrics are, what gives them weight is the incredible music. Effortlessly diverse- from jazz to folk to heavy-retro-psychedelic-whatever. Never sounds forced or contrived, and utterly devoid of cliche or filler. I hear Pink Floyd mainly, also The Beatles, maybe a little Radiohead. Like all great pop music, it's when the lyrics and music intertwine and feed off of each other that the best results are achieved. And the results are sublime....I feel the best tracks on the album are "Train" and "Little Wonder". "Train" is just the best song of this century (that I've heard) and on track to be one of my favorite songs ever. Absolutely timeless. And "Little Wonder"- well the last verse of that song.... with the terribly sad, almost disturbingly vivid lyrics juxtaposed with the bittersweet lullaby-like melody...well, you just have to hear it. Other standout tracks include "The Vineyard", "O Mi So Li Lon/Song in the Key...", and especially "The Drowning Dream" (although again- no clue on the lyrics, except that there are very dreamy). I dig the heavier and psychedelic stuff the most.
So why almost only 4 stars, after all this gushing? Like most albums today, it's too long. A record with 8 great songs is superior to one with 8 great and 4 mediocre! There are a couple songs I wouldn't miss if they weren't included. And there are flow problems....The lilting "Little Wonder" works great after the manic ride of "Train"- but then you have another, even slower song in "The Night is a Blackbird". Beautiful song, but a bit of a pill. And the middle of the album kind of drags with several mid-tempo, jazzy songs in a row. Good songs- I love "The Keepa"- but one after the other like that-kind of a drag.
But in spite of this, I have to give it 5 stars. The other day I was listening to "Addle Brains"- an ok song- and the lyrics just clicked- it's about a homeless man and apathy. Now I have a whole new appreciation for the song. That is what I mean about the depth of this album....over a year later and I'm still discovering it. It's not like I've been listening to it straight for a year and half, but every few months I get the urge and dive right in. That is worth 5 stars. If you can't tell, I highly recommend it....a unique and beautiful experience awaits you. No matter what music you're into (I'm an 80's Metal/Classic Rock guy!). Get it! Now!

What. An. Album. What. A. Band.

Seriously, if you haven't heard of this band, go out and by both of their albums now. Go on, I'll wait for you. They are probably one of the greatest bands in the world at the moment. And their new album comes out this year. Yippee!

I'm not quite sure how to describe this music. Indie-folk-pop, perhaps? Well, it's an extremely diverse album. One second you are listening to the chamber pop of The vineyard, the next song This train will be taking no passengers sounds like a lost Pogues number. Glenn Richards (the lead singer and songwriter) has a real way with words. He scatters literary references throughout his songs. His songs are gems of melodic beauty, complex without losing sight of what makes a song enjoyable -- a great tune.

Album of the year no doubt.

A brilliant album with hauntingly beautiful songs that get into your psychy and refuse to leave. Each song is like poetry set to roaming yet catchy music that are vastly different but form a cohesive whole, so that the listening experience is well-rounded and never boring.

This is a truly amazing album with sprawling and colorful songs. Glenn Richards is easily the best lyricist going, and having such a talented group of musicians filling out his already impressive songs has led to remarkable results. The drum hook on "Addle Brains" alone is worth the price of the album, and the Beatlesque "Little Wonder" and thundering, swinging "Song in the Key of Chance" are also showstoppers. Fans of highly melodic, interesting, and passionate music should definitely check "Strange Bird" out.

Strange Bird is without a doubt the best album I've had the pleasure of listening to in months. I'd like to give it some sort of broad blanket statement, like "Strange Bird is soft and heartfelt", or "Strange Bird is desperate and exciting", but the album has a depth of texture and tone that simply shrugs off any sort of generalization. This is the sound of a band that has found itself as a lyrical and muscal powerhouse, like a superhero exploring his newly found superpowers. A beauty to behold.

Though I am an Aussie, and listen to a lot of Australian bands, I must confess that most of the music is bland and derivative. Even within their native country, Augie March are relatively obscure. They don't deserve to be. Strange Bird, and its predecessor, Sunset Studies, are two of the most brilliant, original, diverse and intelligent records you're likely to hear.

This album covers everything from blues, folk and jazz to rock and punk. Glenn Richards' lyrics are outstanding, seemingly steeped in the traditions of Australian poets like Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson. Even when you don't quite know what they mean, they possess that rare poetic quality. Each song is delicately arranged and surprisingly complex. This album really shows up how restricted and narrow minded the English indie rock scene is - bands like Muse, Radiohead and Elbow would kill for a record like this.

This album is a must - even if just for the artwork.

I couldn't imagine Augie March improving upon their previous masterpiece, "Sunset Studies" but I reckon they have done it here with "Strange Bird". Strange Bird uses keyboards, organs and piano a lot more that Sunset Studies and this adds a lot to the music. Glen Richards proves that he is one of Australia's finest and adaptable vocalists, going from gentle piano based songs like The Vineyard, to singing with real menace on This Train and Song in the Key of Chance. This album is like the White Album by The Beatles in that it encompasses many different styles, but there is still a common thread that links all the songs together into a cohesive whole. Glen's lyrics are superb as he refers to Australia's treatment of refugees in This Train and people ignoring the plight of homeless people in AddleBrains. Brundisium is an bruising piano led epic (should be used in a film score), while The Keepa has some laidback jazz guitar. Really every song has something special about it, and it is well worth the purchase. These guys deserve to be huge internationally - surely its just a matter of time.

it was with caution i actually first listened to the CD. after sunset studies the bar was raised a little i guess and i know it's wrong to compare, because Strange Bird and Sunset Studies are seperate recordings but, it's natural to i guess.

Strange Bird comes into it's own league, and is simply the most fantastic recording since their previous album. Glenn said in an interview that he's tried to take song writing into the realms of poetry and in my opinion this is done flawlessly.

this isn't an album you will hear and love instantly, it'll make you strive for understanding, meaning, and it's depth will have no limits. i've owned sunset studies for a year and a half... and everytime i hear it, i always find new tracks, those who love the band and everything they do, will really relate to that i guess. the world of music would simply not be what it is to me, without Augie March and their inspiration.

this is a truly inspiring, beautiful and eclectic piece of work, worthy of it's place on a world wide stage.

This is a marvelous adventure through inventive musical teritory that you will revisit again and again. Originating in Australia, Augie March is not an individual but a group effort. With a little luck and some press coverage, "Strange Bird" should end up in the years top 10 releases.
This being my first introduction to the band, I look forward to discovering their other efforts.
Magical,moving and dramatic............

The path taken includes ISB, Love, Mike Oldfield, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire....If any of those appeal to you, give this CD a try. I sound rather objective, but my spirits are so elegantly lifted by oh, such a magnificent band of individuals. The music is clearly heavenly, craftly blending voice and instruments for an amazing journey into gorgeous dramatic music. These guys are for real. I treasure this music.