Wizzuvv_oz wrote:And Andrew Bird has whistled way past it.

Andrew Bird's music is the type that people seem to either love or loathe.  I love it,partly because I usually have to listen to one of his songs at least five times before I can figure out what he's trying to convey, but mostly because his music is so tuneful and quirky.  The flip-side of genius is insanity, and Bird's a wobbling genius walking a tightrope without a net.

And he can whistle.

Andrew Bird's music is the type that people seem to either love or loathe.  I love it,partly because I usually have to listen to one of his songs at least five times before I can figure out what he's trying to convey, but mostly because his music is so tuneful and quirky.  The flip-side of genius is insanity, and Bird's a wobbling genius walking a tightrope without a net.

And he can whistle.

Love this song and the album. Surprised it hasn't rated better. Perhaps the songs all sound better in context with the album. Or maybe it'll grow on people, like it did for me.

Maybe you're just being (intentionally?) dense?  I'm mean it's certainly not as clear as a bell, but you didn't get that vibe even a little bit?

I bet you're a real treat at modern art exhibits.  Yes, we all know your kid could draw that.

Doesn't really matter what the songwriter says it's about - if the meaning isn't communicated, at some level, by the song, well, then it's not there.

http://measureformeasure.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/words-will-tell/

Casio Mons?

In the instance of this song I was on a flight from New York back to Chicago and a young mother and her 3-year-old son sat in front of me and it was looking to be the classic scenario of the child screaming bloody murder. However, I was struck by the mournfulness of this kid's wail... MORE

there's a fine line between clever and....stupid.

It's a song about (according to the songwriter) how we, as adults, do not express our feelings, don't let people see us cry, or see us be afraid.  The lyrics aren't completely meaningless, but you are right in that they were chosen as much if not more for textural reasons than for literal meaning.  But there is some meaning in there, even if it isn't clear.

It's a song about (according to the songwriter) how we, as adults, do not express our feelings, don't let people see us cry, or see us be afraid.  The lyrics aren't completely meaningless, but you are right in that they were chosen as much if not more for textural reasons than for literal meaning.  But there is some meaning in there, even if it isn't clear.

My theory is that he does all the whistling because he "struggles" with lyrics (trying to be diplomatic).  Don't get me wrong.  I have this album and dig it _a lot_, with respect to the music. Quite amazing tunes, really.  I listen to it often. I gave this song an 8.

But those are some questionable lyrics (as near as I can tell).  I think "cryptic" doesn't do it justice. I mean seriously, there's a fine line between clever and....stupid.  Same with his first album.  I generally don't listen much to lyrics, but hearing "sociopaths" over and over (and over) prompted me to investigate and then ask myself "WTF?".  Don't even get me started on "Nomenclature".  One might argue that the words are only there because he likes the sound of them.  Michael Stipe, David Byrne and (many) others have taken that approach successfully (IMO).  But the wacky words that AB uses (and invents) are just grating to me.  I used to dislike the whistling but I am rethinking that position.    Just my opinion.

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But those are some questionable lyrics (as near as I can tell).  I think "cryptic" doesn't do it justice.
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