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Andrew Bird — Case in Point
Album: Swimming Hour
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 555









Released: 2001
Length: 4:43
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I'm a breather mail receiver
And I don't know where I stand
Not since someone informed me
That my house was built on sand
And it's not the earth beneath me
It's just the concept of the land

And I'm standing on the corner
When the buildings they all fell
If you blink once you're a goner
Everything just goes pell-mell

It's a real hard sell
My conceptual hell
Not even good for kindling
When the buildings they all fell

I'm a breather mail receiver
Bottom feader just getting by
And you know it's all just par for the course
But you blame it on some non-existent force
Oh yeah, of course
You know you can't ride the concept of the horse
But still I try

In a cartoon desert landscape
With a pair of ACME jetskates
Focused on my destination
I seem to have forgot my station
Now it's time to face the nation

And I'm riding to meet you
On a brown gray speckled mare
But there's something that unnerves me
Like I'm riding on thin air
These few doubts disserve me
Thinking no one really cares
And I'm jumping over fences
On this obstacle course
But it seems I'm getting nowhere
On the concept of the horse

It's a real hard sell
My conceptual hell
Not even good for kindling
When the buildings they all fell

I'm a breather
Bottom feader
How many liters
Must I imbibe
And you know it's all just par for the course
But you blame it on some non-existent force
Oh yeah, of course
You know you can't ride the concept of the horse
But still I try
Comments (59)add comment
Ciao bella?!
Posted 3 years ago by bvujic    [ Reply ]
some lucky people are going to get to see Andrew Bird AND Madison Cunningham this summer. she's going to be his opener on tour. wish they were playing near me... 
Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

Bird uses nonsense words all the time,
so he's never that hard pressed for a rhyme.


 
Nonsense words ? All the good words are used up... What rubbish!
Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Kind of sounds like Russel Brand here. 
:-) 

 
Who?
Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
 Paul_the_wonk wrote:
Old-school Andrew Bird.  Love this song, and the whole album.

 

Who?
Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Old-school Andrew Bird.  Love this song, and the whole album.
Posted 10 years ago by Paul_the_wonk    [ Reply ]
Kind of sounds like Russel Brand here. 
:-) 
Posted 12 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Ah!  Thought I recognized Andrew Bird by the instrumentation at the beginning and was surprised to find that this was an old song of his.  Quite enjoyable; I have all of his post-Weather Systems stuff but it may be time to delve further back in his catalog...
Posted 13 years ago by andrewmi    [ Reply ]
Too twee.
Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 skogman wrote:
He obviously got himself a good pronounciation coach after this album...
 

I actually understood 3 words in a row.  An all-time high for me and my relationship with mr. Bird.  In the words of the poet, Andrew Bird, "sooo mielll waaa fooor twaa naa jujuuuu shaaa ninnnaaa foroo toonuu."  {#Mrgreen}
Posted 13 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
He must have been pushed for another "-ell" rhyme to include "pell-mell", which is a pretty archaic term.
 
I hear people still use that term in the US - generally in a humorous or satirical manner though.  Then again, I run into a lot of English language academic types and/or folks who work on crossword puzzles...


Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I actually like this Andrew Bird...{#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Hehehe!! ...

First, "Oi Va Voi - S'brent", followed by "Andrew Bird - Case in Point" ... nice surreptitious message {#Cheers}
Posted 13 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
He must have been pushed for another "-ell" rhyme to include "pell-mell", which is a pretty archaic term.
 
Bird uses nonsense words all the time,
so he's never that hard pressed for a rhyme.

Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
He obviously got himself a good pronounciation coach after this album...
Posted 14 years ago by skogman    [ Reply ]
He must have been pushed for another "-ell" rhyme to include "pell-mell", which is a pretty archaic term.
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I hear Jack Skellington in this.
Posted 14 years ago by k8ling1114    [ Reply ]
Off all the Andrew Bird's songs played on Radio Paradise, 'Sovay' is missing which is to my humble opinion Andrew's finest song...
{#Arrowl}
Posted 14 years ago by MilesSmiles    [ Reply ]
hear hear! Right here


 felam wrote:

If you really wanted to do something good for the environment, sell your SUV and buy something fuel efficient (better yet how about a bike?), plant a garden, unplug the tv, and get your lazy overweight ass off the couch and walk to work. Throwing money at a problem isn't going to fix it.
 


Posted 14 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
Wow.... so this guy has been putting out good music for a while now. And {#Arrowd} is a funny post! {#Roflol}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
norman bates discovers music...
Posted 14 years ago by orthomd    [ Reply ]
but i don't think there are too many large corporations that stand to make a lot of money on it... No, but don't you think the Carbon Neutral thing will disincentivize (made up word?) corporations from actually DOING anything to reduce their carbon emissions? Can you picture the board meeting as the cigar-chomping CEO coughs and says "Open another coal plant Stan, and don't worry about the pollution. We'll trade our carbon output with some crunchy cheese farm in Vermont" Meanwhile the lady that lives next door to the new coal plant can look forward to kids with black lung.
Posted 15 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
felam wrote:
Sorry, I have to agree on the Carbon Neutral thing. It's such a crappy marketing ploy and really turns me off.
marketing ploy? I understand that there is a developing market for trading the right to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere... but i don't think there are too many large corporations that stand to make a lot of money on it... probably a lot more stand to lose out... so who do you suppose is funding this "crappy marketing ploy"
Posted 16 years ago by aeknust    [ Reply ]
If you really wanted to do something good for the environment, sell your SUV and buy something fuel efficient (better yet how about a bike?), plant a garden, unplug the tv, and get your lazy overweight ass off the couch and walk to work. Throwing money at a problem isn't going to fix it. DoctorHooey wrote:
Yeah! Stupid environment!! WHO NEEDS IT? Buncha hippies ruining MY fun!
Posted 16 years ago by felam    [ Reply ]
Yeah! Stupid environment!! WHO NEEDS IT? Buncha hippies ruining MY fun!
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
That_SOB wrote:
karljonasson wrote: ******************** My, can 'you' imagine what he would think of you; but you will never get a chance to find out, because he's made something out of himself and you, well.....nobody that dumb would know a good songwriter.
AMEN!
Posted 16 years ago by Martino    [ Reply ]
Sorry, I have to agree on the Carbon Neutral thing. It's such a crappy marketing ploy and really turns me off.
Posted 16 years ago by felam    [ Reply ]
karljonasson wrote:
"I liked this until I went to his website and found out that he made his tour 'carbon neutral'. Then I realized he was yet another bandwagon-jumping hippie who buys all the misinformation thrown at him by the anti-human brainwashers on television. Nobody that dumb could be a good songwriter."
******************** My, can 'you' imagine what he would think of you; but you will never get a chance to find out, because he's made something out of himself and you, well.....nobody that dumb would know a good songwriter.
Posted 16 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
Saw Mr. Bird last night with Wilco. He's a quirky dude no doubt, but very talented. Played the hell out of a violin and can whistle like nobody's business!!
That is a double bill I would love to see.
Posted 16 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Rufus, izzatchoo?? 6.
Posted 16 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
What's he on about?
Posted 16 years ago by PeterRigg    [ Reply ]
karljonasson wrote:
I liked this until I went to his website and found out that he made his tour 'carbon neutral'. Then I realized he was yet another bandwagon-jumping hippie who buys all the misinformation thrown at him by the anti-human brainwashers on television. Nobody that dumb could be a good songwriter.
your
Posted 16 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
Saw Mr. Bird last night with Wilco. He's a quirky dude no doubt, but very talented. Played the hell out of a violin and can whistle like nobody's business!!
Posted 16 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
This isn't Rufus?
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
karljonasson wrote:
I liked this until I went to his website and found out that he made his tour 'carbon neutral'. Then I realized he was yet another bandwagon-jumping hippie who buys all the misinformation thrown at him by the anti-human brainwashers on television. Nobody that dumb could be a good songwriter.
So he believes the multitude of FACTS about greenhouse gases and global warming that science has been providing for over 50 YEARS, and that makes HIM dumb? Seem's like it isn't Andrew Bird who needs to wise up and pull his head out of the sand here.
Posted 16 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
Anti-human? Brain washing aside, what has hippie got to do with carbon neutral? And the music is listenable. karljonasson wrote:
I liked this until I went to his website and found out that he made his tour 'carbon neutral'. Then I realized he was yet another bandwagon-jumping hippie who buys all the misinformation thrown at him by the anti-human brainwashers on television. Nobody that dumb could be a good songwriter.
Posted 16 years ago by folkalta    [ Reply ]
how come he reminds me of Nellie McKay?
Posted 16 years ago by chiggins    [ Reply ]
karljonasson wrote:
I liked this until I went to his website and found out that he made his tour 'carbon neutral'. Then I realized he was yet another bandwagon-jumping hippie who buys all the misinformation thrown at him by the anti-human brainwashers on television. Nobody that dumb could be a good songwriter.
You really reveal a lot about yourself, through posts like this. Massive over-generalization, uninformed criticism about a topic that millions of people understand and are behind...not to mention, you base your opinion of music on someone's attempt to reduce the environmental impact of his tour?
Posted 16 years ago by Ender43    [ Reply ]
Violin can be beatiful NOT this one.(5)
Posted 16 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
I saw Andrew Bird the other night at Pustervik, he was great. The airline had lost all his luggage and equipment but he still managed to generate loops and make beautiful music.
Posted 17 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Hey, there's that xylophone again, which someone in another forum mentioned seems to be making a comeback of late... EDIT: A mere three songs later - Bill's playing that other xylophonic tune - Imogen Heap, "Glittering Cloud"....
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Nice use of the word imbibe. I call the "drink, drank, or drunk" rule.
Posted 17 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
rebus wrote:
" you know you can't ride the concept of a horse, but still I try " quite possibly one of my favorite lyrics of any song.
It is pretty cool. I've heard that clapping two coconut shells together helps with riding a concept horse. Better yet, have your noble manservant Patsy do it while you assuming the riding posture and skip along...
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
rebus wrote:
" you know you can't ride the concept of a horse, but still I try " quite possibly one of my favorite lyrics of any song.
It is pretty cool. I've heard that clapping two coconut shells together helps with riding a concept horse. Better yet, have your noble manservant Patsy do it while you assuming the riding posture...
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
Ana Ng. Very much at the beginning...Poke a hole in the sky... :) horstman wrote:
Yes, some one else out there thinks like me. Wait a minute. That's more than a little frightening!
Posted 17 years ago by obzidian    [ Reply ]
Shimmer wrote:
I hear They Might Be Giants in this.
Yes, some one else out there thinks like me. Wait a minute. That's more than a little frightening!
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Hey, an Andrew Bird song I don't find completely insufferable! An enthusiastic 5!!! Yay!
Posted 17 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
bobringer wrote:
So this is what it would sound like if Thom York had a child with Rufus Wainright?
Nicely done! That's exactly what he sounds like.
Posted 17 years ago by Dianyla    [ Reply ]
I hear They Might Be Giants in this.
Posted 17 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
For a moment, his vocal style reminded me of Jackson Browne....meets Rufus Wainright.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
So this is what it would sound like if Thom York had a child with Rufus Wainright?
Posted 18 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
" you know you can't ride the concept of a horse, but still I try " quite possibly one of my favorite lyrics of any song.
Posted 18 years ago by rebus    [ Reply ]
Bob_Loblaw wrote:
If you must own one Andrew Bird album then you must own The Swimming Hour. Excellent.
I just listened to the Amazon.com's Samples on the album. I have to say that I would not be able to pin down Andrew's music to any particular style or genre. He is certainly a unique artist! From AMG -
Biography by Heather Phares Chicago singer/songwriter/violinist Andrew Bird updates the traditions of small group swing, German Leider and New Orleans jazz, mixing gypsy, folk and rock elements into his distinctive style. Bird's projects include his group the Bowl of Fire (which also includes drummer Kevin O'Donnell, bassist Josh Hirsch and guitarist Colin Bunn) and performing as an auxiliary member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers; in turn, the Zippers' Katherine Whalen and James Mathus appeared on the Bowl of Fire albums Thrills and Oh! The Grandeur. Bird has also recorded with artists like Pinetop Seven and Lil' Ed Williams, teaches music at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and performed on the score and soundtrack from the 1999 Tim Robbins film The Cradle Will Rock. His third album, 2001's The Swimming Hour, surprisingly found the Bowl of Fire turning to pop music, and with excellent results.
Posted 18 years ago by Steven_G    [ Reply ]
If you must own one Andrew Bird album then you must own The Swimming Hour. Excellent.
Posted 18 years ago by Bob_Loblaw    [ Reply ]
Love the movement in his music. One of my favorites! Always has great lyrics too!
Posted 18 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
Great live show. Andrew opened solo for My Morning Jacket in Boulder and that was the first time I heard him. It was such a cool performance. Check him out if he comes to your town.
Posted 18 years ago by dylanv    [ Reply ]
Cool - classical-style violin mixed with pop music. Here is an interesting (and funny) quote from an Amazon.com reviewer -
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. From Amazon.com
Posted 18 years ago by Steven_G    [ Reply ]