The Swimming Hour [Vinyl] [Original recording remastered]

Andrew Bird | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (October 20, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B002N1AEKA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,553 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Two Way Action

2. Core and Rind

3. Why?

4. 11:11

5. Case In Point

6. Too Long

7. Way Out West

8. Waiting To Talk

9. Fatal Flower Garden

10. Satisfied

11. Headsoak

12. How Indiscreet

13. Dear Old Greenland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, March 15, 2005

By 

Christopher Bowers "cbamity" (buffalo, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swimming Hour (Audio CD)

I'm admitting up front- This is the only album I have heard from Andrew Bird, (no rhyme intended) but I'm very impressed. Borrowing from many different musical genres- traditional pop, jazz, latin, country, etc, he can be critcized for sounding derivitive/contrived. However, from my perspective he suceeds at borrowing elements, but at the same time introducing something uniquely Andrew Bird in each song. After all music is not created in a vacuum. Its obvious that he is a gifted songwriter, singer, and musician from hearing this, but I noticed that there are a couple 1 star reviews. They read a bit like the pretentious 'he fell off/ sold out after he released his first album.' I can never understand this type of stupidity. Its as if some people want the same album released over and over again. Or maybe its the ol' "I listened to him way back before he was born"

Update- Now that I've listened to his other albums, this one still stands up as very good. Its not the first of his albums that I'd reach for today (that would be Oh! The grandeur), but its the most accessible and is solid throughout. He has changed his approach dramatically from album to album, but the quality remains for all of them. The albums before "Oh! the Grandeur" are weaker than the rest

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mainstream? Drown that idea!, April 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Swimming Hour (Audio CD)

Strange as it seems, someone has reviewed this album... by comparing The Bowl of Fire's new direction (a direction they were hinting at all along) as akin to the "mainstream" sounds of Dave Matthews. While this same reviewer obviously provides useful biographical information regarding Bird and band, I think the analogy to Dave Matthews is wrong. And I think so because, whatever his merits may be, I find Dave Matthews' music to be antithetical, in effect, to Andrew Bird's. Bird is passionate, clever, self-aware, and always pushing his own envelope -- he continues to innovate & on his own terms. Dave Matthews, on the other hand, has never done anything but bore me, mostly since his music never develops, it just lopes along, on and on, in that queasy "jam band" style I personally don't enjoy.

That said, "The Swimming Hour" could just as well appeal to any kind of music fan. The songs seem, for lack of a better word, necessary -- as if they just HAD to happen that way. Like all great art (sure, this is "pop" -- which is why its greatness is that much more of a rarity), having it around makes me, and may make you, just want to perservere. And, cyber-shoppers, remember, the sound-bytes online just don't do these songs justice. Take my word for it, then take your own.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andrew Bird has done it again !, April 3, 2001

By 

Lucien Desar (Boston MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swimming Hour (Audio CD)

Buy it. The best way to describe his music is 1920-1930's style of music blending in elements of New Oreleans Jazz and gypsy undertones. Andrew Bird is best known for his superb ability to play the violin and his past history was playing the classical violin but then decided to move into bluegrass, folk, and swing music. He was for a time the violin player for the Squirrel Nut Zippers and had opened up for them with Bowl Of Fire .

This album actually has something for everyone. The first few tracks are for the more mainstream artsy college crowd (think Dave Matthews with a violin). The middle tracks move into exciting territory which is his own signature style with more swing/jazz/bluegrass feel to it(think Squirrel Nut Zippers meets Frank Sinatra meets Dean Martin). Then it moves onto a little Rockbilly and then back to the swing/jazz/bluegrass/folk feel. It's difficult to really pinpoint his style he has a highly polished voice with dark germanic/gypsy/folk undertones in his music which is the only way I can describe it.

He has added a new lineup for Bowl Of Fire and the only remaining player is Kevin O'Donnell for drums. Also added is Nora O'Connor for female vocals which blended with Mr Bird's voice blends wonderfully. If you have listened to Mr Bird's earlier albums you will note this one is more polished and produced then the previous one (they sound great live).

My particular favorites are "Way Out West" , "Fatal Flower Garden" & "Dear Old Greenland".