Break it Yourself marks the 10th studio LP for Chicago’s Andrew Bird. Sometimes it’s hard to believe the venerable singer-songwriter has been making music now for almost 20 years. Over that time period, he has chiseled out his own niche in the pop music universe, often marrying whimsical lyrics with equally fancy-free compositions to create a sound that is Andrew Bird through and through.
His latest continues in that vein, but this time around he it’s a much more introverted affair. The bubbly pop of some of his earlier work has been replaced largely with billowing strings and plenty of space for him to spread his voice out. Opening track "Desperation Breeds…" sounds like it was recorded in an airplane hangar, the solitary lines of Bird’s violin carry his voice into the ether until a down tempo drum beat and perky guitar riff kick in to get everything moving.
Throughout Break it Yourself we are reminded of Bird’s beginnings as a bandleader. Here he receives full backing support, which is never a bad thing. A man who can convey a great deal of emotion with just his violin and voice only grows more powerful with a full arsenal at his disposal. This makes for quite a few bright spots. "Danse Caribe", despite its name, ambles along cautiously with a steel drum and, of course, Bird’s trademark whistle leading the way. During ‘Eyeoneye’ Bird and his mates fully embrace the guise of rock stars, and though it’s the most forceful song of the lot, they don’t lose the subtle strings or other seemingly minor details at the expense of getting down. Towards the back of the album he really goes all in, the full on orchestral maneuvers of "Orpheo Looks Back", the Yo La Tengoesque "Fatal Shore" and the quiet ambiance of ‘Belles’ are a great send off.
Surely Bird will have his detractors, as he always has. His work can verge on the melancholic at times, especially on Break it Yourself, and this is definitely not the adventurous and sprightly Andrew Bird of "& The Mysterious Production of Eggs" or "Weather Systems". Still if you’re in the market for a singer-songwriter with an uncompromising vision, a great ear for detail and a sound that’s truly their own then the Birdman is all you’ll need.
Grade: A-
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