Andrew Bird’s sixth solo studio album exemplifies the word pleasant. Bird’s warmly sweeping voice pairs with simple drum work and gentle acoustic picking to lull listeners with what sounds like purity. At times, Bird’s crooning vocals reach a harmony with his violin similar to a second high-pitched stringed instrument, climbing to a symphonic peak. A number of songs also feature speed and energy progressions as well as variations in style. Tracks break from a steady pattern into a different direction, which sometimes features new instruments and vocal styling. Despite the soft nature of the album, Bird still creates moments of momentum and excitement with hard drum beats and fast-paced, heavy, electric guitar strums, which fights off the slowly-dragging soft stretches.
Grade: A-
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