he 10 tracks that make up My Finest Work Yet feel even more present, more in the moment, while never sacrificing any musicianship. Paul Butler’s production makes a gorgeous chorus out of the potential cacophony of a roomful of instruments and voices. The arrangements are as precise as ever, the track order gradually revealing a narrative that includes wrongdoings, incitement, and action.
It may not garner the same kind of fond appreciation that fans have for The Mysterious Production of Eggs, or Break It Yourself, but this album is less a niche corner of the folk genre and more an illustrious banner for all to appreciate. In Bird’s vast canon of genre experimentation, there’s room for at least one big time indie-rock record--and this fills those shoes quite well.
Rufus Wainwright-goes-to-grad-school lushness dominates, though, and despite Bird's Death Of Marat pose on the cover, My Finest Work is not quite revolutionary. [May 2019, p.93]
Every time I listen I love it even more. I’ve always tried to love Andrew Bird. This album made me a fan. I feel like I’ve been listening toEvery time I listen I love it even more. I’ve always tried to love Andrew Bird. This album made me a fan. I feel like I’ve been listening to him forever. Ugh every song is perfect.…Expand
I'm really surprised to not see more people citing this album as a companion piece to Marvin Gaye's What's Goin On? This album seem stoI'm really surprised to not see more people citing this album as a companion piece to Marvin Gaye's What's Goin On? This album seem sto bubble up from the cracked surface of a tapped out Mother Earth with the purpose of conviction that Bird wears well. Beyond the obvious possible read as a cautionary tale on the perils of letting your enemies effect your narrative, there is an earthiness to the instrumentation that feels both organic and ethereal simultaneously.
Bird earns every peak in a fairly straightforward way that he hasn't used to this extent in prior long plays. This album builds into worthy crescendos and lush lulls in ways that lead a listener down a path of fulfillment and out of a fog of social media scuzziness. If Bird is signalling an era of post-anger, I am ready to join forces and reject the reactionary culture so in vogue. Our anger has been spun into profits for the few and I for one can jump from that train and live a fulfilled life by Cracking the Code.
The beauty of Bird's melodies have never been in question. The complexity of his allegories have sometimes required a deep understanding of the classics, but on this one, his melodies payoff more than ever because the impact of the words is so direct. Pull away from the particulars of the trees and view the forest for what he has assembled. True that our enemies are part of that forest, but they don't need to drive our narrative if we choose.…Expand
Album of the year. My favorite in years, and I’m looking (since Sturgill Simpson’s sailor’s guide to earth or nick cave’s lovely creatures,Album of the year. My favorite in years, and I’m looking (since Sturgill Simpson’s sailor’s guide to earth or nick cave’s lovely creatures, which as a compilation doesn’t compete). The critics really missed this one (surprise surprise). Hot singles: Bellevue Bridge Club, Bloodless (check the video), Manifest. An extremely cohesive album from open to close. This is art, what music and poetry should strive to be, that gets better with each listen. Hand’s down, Bird’s finest work yet.…Expand
It's like Andrew Bird but the song structures are more Father John Misty, and that's a good thing. Plenty of nuance in the production rewardsIt's like Andrew Bird but the song structures are more Father John Misty, and that's a good thing. Plenty of nuance in the production rewards repeated listens.…Expand
My Finest Work Here, it was Andrew Bird's first album that I listened to, if it's his finest work here, I don't know. But this is one of theMy Finest Work Here, it was Andrew Bird's first album that I listened to, if it's his finest work here, I don't know. But this is one of the best albums released this year so far, I'm sure!…Expand
This new record "My Finest Work Yet" finds Andrew Bird channeling his inner Father John Misty with catchy yet bitter songs about life andThis new record "My Finest Work Yet" finds Andrew Bird channeling his inner Father John Misty with catchy yet bitter songs about life and love. Fittingly, it is his finest work yet.…Expand
I am a big fan of Andrew Bird. But while I write this I am comparing the last album which was fantastic, I find this new one drags a bit. TheI am a big fan of Andrew Bird. But while I write this I am comparing the last album which was fantastic, I find this new one drags a bit. The pacing seems off. A couple of songs the first one and the last 2 on the album are good, not great. But the middle seems to be a mosh pit of ideas that are not going anywhere. Definitely not as catchy are prior albums (Noble Beast) Seems to be of a deep blues, deep jazz influence. I have listened to it 3 times, and I still get that feeling. Not the finest work but OK.…Expand