Andrew Bird recorded an album in a barn. What else do you need to know?
There’s a certain brand of music reminiscent of autumnal Sunday mornings spent in bed, falling in and out of sleep and daydreaming about that one moment of connection we had the night before.
On his seventh album, Hands of Glory, Andrew Bird captures this feeling with near perfection. Set to be a companion to his album Break it Yourself, which was released earlier in 2012, Hands includes several stripped-down covers of Bird’s own tracks, as well as a few borrowed from other artists.
Hands of Glory proves to be a departure from Bird’s usually grandiose projects. The album was recorded in a barn around a singular microphone, which explains its simplistic, folksy sound.
Plucky violins and bleak lyrics are the hallmarks of the album. These two aspects make the album as folk-centric as it is and provide an ode to Americana, unlike what Bird has done before.
Bird’s own songs — rather than his covers — shine in this album, especially the track “Orpheo.” Unembellished and simplistic, it’s tender and tentative. While Bird sings with feeling on the track, it is not laden with cheesy, emotional lyrics that would otherwise dumb it down.
Furthermore, Bird’s use of violin in songs on the album really stands out. Bird can no longer hide that violin is his true passion. Hands is a sweeping ode to the instrument — the violin is not only played, but also plucked and prodded to exude its full use.
As pleasant as the folk rock vibe may be, it can also lend itself to a bit of disappointment for fans of Bird. Usually experimental, especially in terms of instrumentals, with Hands of Glory Bird has taken a break from his usual hijinks to create something less unexpected.
The lack of whistling on the album is also a disappointment. Bird has a lot of talent when it comes to whistling, and including some could have added to the folk rock style of Hands. Why he chooses to omit it from all of the tracks, save for “Beyond the Valley of Three White Horses,” is confusing.
While it has its pitfalls, Hands of Glory can certainly hold its own. It’s music perfect for fall, complete with violins and forlorn lyrics that fit the season perfectly. It is one of those albums that sounds so much like a time and place it takes listeners back every single time they tune in.
diversions@umdbk.com
