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Andrew Bird — Masterswarm
Album: Noble Beast
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 251









Released: 2009
Length: 6:15
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Come what may
Lay your eggs where it's warm
We come here to swarm
Come by sea
Swarm like smoke in the dawn
We were the young
We were the swarm

Radiolarians
Midges and moths
Cut from a cloth
We were the young
We were the swarm

Flailing fetal fleas
Feeding from the arms of the master
Burrow into me
And this is sure to misspell disaster
Oh and the young in the larval stage
Orchestrating plays
In vestments of translucent alabaster

So they took me to the hospital
They put my body through a scan
What they saw there would impress them all
For inside me grows a man
Who speaks with perfect diction
As he orders my eviction
As he acts with more conviction
Than I

Oh, burrow into me
This is sure to misspell disaster
Oh, burrow into me
You're feeding from the arms of the master

We were the young
We were the swarm
We were the young
Radiolarians
(3x)

Come what may
Come what may
Come
Comments (69)add comment
 apd wrote:

I maybe wrong, but I don't think he's singing words. I think he writes phonetically* and doesn't bother with narrative, so that's why the words don't quite "work" and sound odd - he's writing sounds, rather than words. Sorta like the Cocteau Twins. I think.
*Sorry if I just made-up a word. But do you know what I mean?
 
 
That would explain the calcium ions, radiolarians, etc....

Posted 12 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]
It's an 8 just for the whistling
Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 Rooney wrote:
"...we were the swuammm, coomme from a clouugh, midges and moouuu..."

yeah, gotta whole lotta love for andrew's enunciation.

sounsss lukkka kitcheeeauuu touwlllaaa innn the mooufffaaa.

this is not whining.

feetle falelle fee,
miisssissppi misseppled diaster
oh thehe yyuunng in the ()((( stage
(whistling)

must be generational or something.  good for you that understand his special way with words. ;)
 
I maybe wrong, but I don't think he's singing words. I think he writes phonetically* and doesn't bother with narrative, so that's why the words don't quite "work" and sound odd - he's writing sounds, rather than words. Sorta like the Cocteau Twins. I think.
*Sorry if I just made-up a word. But do you know what I mean?
 
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
I really love this guy's music, although it is not normally my taste.  A fellow Illinoisan. His violin music is so beautiful, he is extremely talented.
Posted 13 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
BIRDMAN - don't give me bullshit!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Rotterdam wrote:
Hmmm. Comments are not very positive.
I can't help it, I think this is delightful and happy/sad and innovative. Sorry if I have bad taste.
 

Even though you are from one of the most nasty cities in the world
(aside of NOUAKCHOTT), you are excused!!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
JUST BAD - aka BOOOORING!!!!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Hmmm. Comments are not very positive.
I can't help it, I think this is delightful and happy/sad and innovative. Sorry if I have bad taste.
Posted 13 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Sounds like loops played backwards. I need to record this and play it backward to perhaps make sense of it.  If I was interested.

Posted 13 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
oy frigging vey.                   {#Moon}
Posted 13 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
"...we were the swuammm, coomme from a clouugh, midges and moouuu..."

yeah, gotta whole lotta love for andrew's enunciation.

sounsss lukkka kitcheeeauuu touwlllaaa innn the mooufffaaa.

this is not whining.

feetle falelle fee,
miisssissppi misseppled diaster
oh thehe yyuunng in the ()((( stage
(whistling)

must be generational or something.  good for you that understand his special way with words. ;)
Posted 13 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
 bindi wrote:
I see that Andrew creates some whining in the posts below. Yeah, he's different - kinda what RP is about, isn't it?

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think he is pretty damn talented.  We went to see Augie March, who was opening up for him - fantastic show.  We left as fans.

 
Yeah, he's different. And no, you're not a contrarian - I totally agree with you. If I could whistle like he can... But even apart from that, he writes incredibly intelligent lyrics and is quite the musician, too. I have "Noble Beast" on CD, and sometimes, I just can't tear myself away from it, so I crank it up to do laundry and chores. And sometimes, I just crank it up so I can sit in my very undisciplined garden, watch the last of the bumblebees do their jobs before they retire for winter, and thank my lucky stars that I'm blessed with life and this place in which I currently reside. {#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 Pharlap wrote:

The show in Durham?. I was there too.

Weren't you a bit disappointed there wasn't more of a backup band with him? Although if you went for Augie March,maybe you weren't familiar with him yet.
 bindi wrote:
I see that Andrew creates some whining in the posts below. Yeah, he's different - kinda what RP is about, isn't it?

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think he is pretty damn talented.  We went to see Augie March, who was opening up for him - fantastic show.  We left as fans.

 
 
I've seen the videos with a band and I'd have to say that it was pretty cool seeing him flying solo in Durham.  We saw Shawn Colvin the same way in Clayton - a great experience.

Posted 13 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
The Dude is Whistling for gods sake!
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]

The show in Durham?. I was there too.

Weren't you a bit disappointed there wasn't more of a backup band with him? Although if you went for Augie March,maybe you weren't familiar with him yet.
 bindi wrote:
I see that Andrew creates some whining in the posts below. Yeah, he's different - kinda what RP is about, isn't it?

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think he is pretty damn talented.  We went to see Augie March, who was opening up for him - fantastic show.  We left as fans.

 


Posted 13 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
yet another boring, predictable song on RP. i give up {#Naughty}
 Don't slip on your Beyonce discs on the way out the door, Ady.


Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
big Bird fan, but did not care for this song too much until I heard it live... that changes everything..! especially like the version from Live at the Precipice... great performance and rocks much harder.
Posted 13 years ago by joshtime    [ Reply ]
 bindi wrote:
I see that Andrew creates some whining in the posts below. Yeah, he's different - kinda what RP is about, isn't it?

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think he is pretty damn talented.  We went to see Augie March, who was opening up for him - fantastic show.  We left as fans. 

Your assessment is correct IMO. Rock on contrarian! {#High-five}

{#Cheers}
PJB
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Perfect fodder for my new "auto-mute" app.
Posted 14 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
yet another boring, predictable song on RP. i give up {#Naughty}
 
too bad it wasn't another rem masterpiece, right? {#Biggrin}
Posted 14 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
 bindi wrote:
I see that Andrew creates some whining in the posts below. Yeah, he's different - kinda what RP is about, isn't it?

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think he is pretty damn talented.  We went to see Augie March, who was opening up for him - fantastic show.  We left as fans.

 

He's great. I've probably listened to this CD/Album as much as any other one this year. One of my favorites (although it may have actually come out last year ) of the year.
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Always makes me start moving and whistling along. My budgie loves it too. Love the lyrics:
"so they took me to the hospital
they put my body through a scan
what they saw there would impress them all
for inside me grows a man"

It makes me think of "man-child" who's 20. Indulgent I know, but that's what Mom's are sometimes!
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
yet another boring, predictable song on RP. i give up {#Naughty}
 
I find it difficult to fathom this comment when we now know what you regularly listen to, Ady. To each his own.

Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I see that Andrew creates some whining in the posts below. Yeah, he's different - kinda what RP is about, isn't it?

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think he is pretty damn talented.  We went to see Augie March, who was opening up for him - fantastic show.  We left as fans.

Posted 14 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
 Brooky wrote:

I enjoy all his work —-

 
ditto on that . . .
Posted 14 years ago by OlafofIceland    [ Reply ]
{#Mrgreen}

Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
yet another boring, predictable song on RP. i give up {#Naughty}
 
Bye bye!!!

Posted 14 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
yet another boring, predictable song on RP. i give up {#Naughty}
Posted 14 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
 Poacher wrote:

It was a Norweigan blue. Beautiful plumage! 
 

Its only stunned..

Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Well its obvious the theme of this set of songs is whistling ....
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Movin on up 7 >>> 8
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 Frater_Kork wrote:
What's with the weird creaky gasping at the end, sounds like someone is twisting the head off a parrot.
Is it a Norweigan parrot?
 
It was a Norweigan blue. Beautiful plumage! 
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 cohifi wrote:

I've heard worse.  It's like Acoustic Radiohead i think.

 

I was looking for the right comment - this is it -
Posted 14 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
really, sublime
Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]

I enjoy all his work —-


Posted 14 years ago by Brooky    [ Reply ]
 lawman wrote:
For me, this is less of a song than a trip through a landscape: it's wonderful!
 
{#High-five} Great description! In a convertible with the top down on a warm summer day.

Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 Frater_Kork wrote:
What's with the weird creaky gasping at the end, sounds like someone is twisting the head off a parrot.
Is it a Norweigan parrot?
 

'E's pinin' for da fjords!
Posted 14 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
I think this is....wonderful!

Posted 14 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
 Joy4life wrote:
There are very few songs that I would             ................oh fuck it, this is crap.
 
I've heard worse.  It's like Acoustic Radiohead i think.

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
There are very few songs that I would             ................oh fuck it, this is crap.
Posted 14 years ago by Joy4life    [ Reply ]
Noodling pap. 

If I had a gun - I would put it out of its misery.

A 2 at best.

 
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Very twee, very Belle & Sebastian, the aural equivalent of an introspective 'Hampstead novel' about self-absorbed middle-class people. Hmm ;(
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

The Veils - Lavinia - have heard before here and like.
Jason Lytle - Brand New Sun - growing on me, is ok
Andrew Bird - Masterswarm - have not heard but like so far

All flowing, that is my final comment.


Posted 14 years ago by NormaJean    [ Reply ]
It's like a poor mans version of 18 different artists rolled into one.

Meh... 
Posted 14 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
6 - don't like the whistling or whistle-y sound what ever it is

Posted 14 years ago by Jim__Sheila    [ Reply ]

Recently it seems like every other song is the Andy Bird. Being musically talented and quirky is not a good enough excuse!


Posted 14 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
Musical valium...{#Sleep}
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Sorry, this makes me feel like I'm in a waiting room somewhere, where no one's working
Posted 14 years ago by suebee3    [ Reply ]
Quirky ... cool and breezy ... groovy!{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
snap! did it again...thought this was Rufus!!
Posted 14 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
w00t going to see him in a couple hours at the Greek! (or maybe that should be tw33t)
Posted 14 years ago by unbracketed    [ Reply ]
What's with the weird creaky gasping at the end, sounds like someone is twisting the head off a parrot.
Is it a Norweigan parrot?
Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Great CD!
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Misterfixit wrote:

Actually it is a soprano cloaca played in the evacuative style of the southern tip of Brazil.



Too bad they don't give the young anaconda credit on the album. Just like modern musicians to use the beauty and genius of indigenous species without giving back.

Posted 14 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
 hugoallen wrote:
Is that whistle-y sound a theremin?
 

It's Andrew whistling. He does use a lot of looping effects and trickery onstage, so it may be electrically altered—but it is him whistling.
Posted 14 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
 Inamorato wrote:

The album notes don't list a theremin, only Andrew Bird's whistling.

 
Actually it is a soprano cloaca played in the evacuative style of the southern tip of Brazil.

Posted 14 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
 hugoallen wrote:
Is that whistle-y sound a theremin?
 
I will see him live on Friday and will let you know :)

Posted 14 years ago by sunny_day    [ Reply ]
 hugoallen wrote:
Is that whistle-y sound a theremin?
 
The album notes don't list a theremin, only Andrew Bird's whistling.

Posted 14 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
 hugoallen wrote:
Is that whistle-y sound a theremin?
 
My first impression is that it's a person whistling.  I'll listen closer next time.

Given that the last song also had a (human) whistle in it, I'm voting that it's the real thing, and that Bill put them together for a reason.

Posted 14 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
For me, this is less of a song than a trip through a landscape: it's wonderful!
Posted 14 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
Is that whistle-y sound a theremin?
Posted 14 years ago by hugoallen    [ Reply ]

This song is underated on RP. Come on, this is sort of fun and groovy in it's uptempo waltzy meets merengue kind of vibe. he's got his thing going here, which is pretty unique sound. Love it or hate it, he has got his own thing going.
Posted 14 years ago by mcklein18    [ Reply ]
 OldFrenchie wrote:
Its like Rufus Wainwright meets David Byrne on a the set of a spaghetti western.

 

{#Whipit}   ....HAHAHA,  Yes!!
Posted 14 years ago by Ntropy    [ Reply ]
Andrew Bird sounds just like Ron Sexsmith.  Like impersonating him a la Peyroux and Billie.
Posted 14 years ago by mwsteele79    [ Reply ]
Its like Rufus Wainwright meets David Byrne on a the set of a spaghetti western.

Posted 14 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
First to rate! This is great - I've always liked Andrew Bird's stuff but this is excellent.
Posted 14 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]