12. Andrew Bird – Noble Beast
Andy : 11 :: Dave : 26

If you peruse this blog with any frequency, you’ll have noticed at least three posts devoted solely to Andrew Bird (not including appearances on our 1000 Minutes lists) in the near-year we’ve been writing this.  With nearly 400 posts written, that might not seem like a lot, but with the amount of music that Dave and I consume, to keep returning to a single artist time and again is a testament to Mr. Bird’s undeniable talent.  Noble Beast is another shining example of his virtuosity, his creativity, and his ability to craft smart, refreshing chamber pop.

With songs laced with intricate wordplay, a plethora of instrumentation and a penchant for self-referencing, Andrew Bird is a force with which to be reckoned.  Known for his ability to completely reconstruct his songs during concerts, Noble Beast has already been (in part) re-worked on a subsequent EP.  Noble Beast, not unlike the remainder of Mr. Bird’s discography, is not to be missed.

Andrew Bird – Masterswarm (mp3) from Noble Beast

11. The XX – xx
Andy : 14 :: Dave : 11

What words to use in reference to this band? A band whose album has been on the receiving end of a multitude of praise nearly everywhere this year? If by some miracle you are unaware of the youthful indie powerhouse known as The xx, this is not the best nor most informative site for reference. To match this band’s music, I will attempt to be concise and subdued, though imagine I will be quite a bit less lyrical.

The day this album was released there hadn’t quite been an outpouring of buzz just yet. I tested it out on Amie Street and received an immediate impression from ‘Intro,’ of a similarity in feeling I experienced upon first hearing Interpol’s debut record. There are moments of guitar work that are familiar, but the vocals, beats and aesthetic of The xx are certainly not related to those same elements in Interpol’s work. Each listener can choose which part of this talented band’s music they would love to proselytize. If I had to choose one I might go with the interplay of vocalists Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft and how they exude pure sex. But then again I may refer to the sparse guitars. On the other hand, if upon listening you are not immediately swept up in the sea of praise and wonder where the accolades are coming from, I advise to not give up on this record. Multiple consumptions only serve to embrace the impressiveness of this debut. Each time I’ve listened I’ve been gripped ever tighter.

The xx – Night Time (mp3) from xx

Two in two days. I don’t have much else to share at the moment so go here to understand this project and enjoy the tunes.

41. Interpol – Untitled (mp3) from Turn On The Bright Lights (3:56) [Time Remaining: 825:04]

I wanted to wait and write about Turn On The Bright Lights as an Essential Album, though we have kinda slacked on that front. Because I haven’t written one of those in months I figured it was about time to insert this particular song into my list. Without analyzing it further, I would say it is rare that the highlight of an album is the opener. This particular album opener, would be very high on a list of favorite openers of all time for me. There isn’t much to the lyrics though the evocation adds something. In this instance it’s mostly about the music, and it’s enthralling.

42. Andrew Bird – Dark Matter (mp3) from Armchair Apocrypha (5:07) [Time Remaining: 819:57]

I had to insert the whistling man in here at some point, and now is as good a time as any. This being my favorite off 2007′s wondrous Armchair Apocrypha, the lyrics conquer deep themes all while circumventing the specific words normally conjured when pondering mortality and the meaning of life. Whenever I listen to Andrew Bird I feel that he is operating on his own plane of thought somewhere above everyone else. His lyrics are sometimes scientifically based and complex and they only serve to make me enjoy his music more. This song is a great example of that, and it all started with a game of Operation.

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