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Andrew Bird — Scythian Empires
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kingart
(Brooklyn NY)
Posted: Apr 26, 2013 - 09:00
 
 Hannio wrote:


A google search turned up almost 2.5 million references to "Russian steppes".    You've got a lot of work to do.

 
Actually, there are steppes (vast and mostly treeless plains) in Ukraine, in Russia, in Kazakhstan, adjacent -stans, and in the Asian part of Russia dubbed Siberia. Millions of square miles of steppes across a few time zones. Inhabited by tribes of the ultimate horsemen, parts of Scythia were in the Persian Empire. 
I've heard the song only once. Interesting, but it seemed to be abstract and a tad pretentious. I'm not sure Bird sold the concept of the song to me.  

Proclivities
(Paris of the Piedmont)
Posted: Feb 22, 2013 - 10:00
 
 Hannio wrote:


A google search turned up almost 2.5 million references to "Russian steppes".    You've got a lot of work to do.
 
Well, "alien autopsy" turns up About 1,060,000 results.

Hannio
(Austin, TX)
Posted: Nov 20, 2012 - 09:08
 
 alezz_ua wrote:
"Scythian empire, horsemen of the Russia steppe"
It never was Russia steppe. Ukrainian steppe if modern analogue required.

 

A google search turned up almost 2.5 million references to "Russian steppes".    You've got a lot of work to do.

joelbb
Posted: Oct 20, 2012 - 00:36
 
God save us from pop musicians trying to be profound beyond their intellects.

old_shep
(Iowa)
Posted: Jul 17, 2012 - 13:45
 
The strings on the right track sound like my neighbor's dog barking in time to the song..!

dwlangham
(Nowhere to be found)
Posted: Jul 17, 2012 - 13:44
 
This song will be over soon! {#Dancingbanana_2}

apd
(Toronto, On)
Posted: Apr 13, 2012 - 11:27
 
bump 


Honeyman wrote:

Simplet in empa
at tusee enka
sorta bout fusta
—-WHISTLING—- simplet in empa
siset in enfah
simplet in empa
 



apd
(Toronto, On)
Posted: Apr 13, 2012 - 11:24
 
 danagle wrote:
I try not to be a hater... but this guy really drives me nuts for some reason.  He opened for Nickel Creek a couple years ago and I absolutely couldn't stand him.  I was pulling my hair out during his whole set.  Most of the people near me were complaining as well.

Wish I could put my finger on what exactly he did to evoke this response from us.
 
I can see that. It's the nonsense lyrics - they just don't sound right, and really grate. It sounds unnervingly wrong and I'm usually at the end of my tether halfway through one of his songs, so an entire concert would drive me nuts, too.

Lewis_Cooper
Posted: Apr 06, 2011 - 18:20
 
 danagle wrote:
I try not to be a hater... but this guy really drives me nuts for some reason.  He opened for Nickel Creek a couple years ago and I absolutely couldn't stand him.  I was pulling my hair out during his whole set.  Most of the people near me were complaining as well.

Wish I could put my finger on what exactly he did to evoke this response from us.
 
I've seen Andrew live three times and the crowd is ALWAYS cheering madly and raving about thisthis amazing and unique virtuoso performer. I really can't imagine what anyone could find unpleasant about this stunningly talented and Suzuki trained violinist/multi-instrumentalist. Maybe it's because I played in a band for 30 years and true and stunning talent is so obvious to me.

Lewis_Cooper
Posted: Apr 06, 2011 - 18:14
 
Andrew Bird is one of the most amazing performers on the msuic scene today. If you have a chance to see him live, DO IT!

I had the pleasure of photographing his show a couple years a go in Denver and it blew my mind, you can see photos of the show on my concert website here; http://gonzoshots.com/archives/139


Rooney
(Near Paradise)
Posted: Oct 23, 2010 - 09:31
 
son of lame

vandal
(arriving somewhere, but not here. . .)
Posted: Sep 29, 2010 - 16:47
 
lame

gortacleva
(ex-urban)
Posted: Aug 16, 2010 - 12:49
 
I heard a live version of this performed with Calexico at the Newport Folk Festival. Absolutely stopped me in my tracks with its beauty.

handyrae
(Zero Point Field)
Posted: Apr 23, 2010 - 07:03
 
 membeth wrote:
I love this album.  However, the first several times I heard this song, I understood "Sithian Empires" and couldn't figure out what the Russian steppe had to do with Star Wars.
 

{#Roflol}



fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Apr 23, 2010 - 07:00
 
 RadioDoc wrote:
Wearing thin.

7 {#Arrow} 6
 
Yep. 4 -> 1. Nice budgie on the cover, though. It surely does go on and on and on....


RadioDoc
(Chicagoland)
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 - 10:00
 
Wearing thin.

7 {#Arrow} 6

peter_james_bond
(Lunenburg, NS)
Posted: Aug 14, 2009 - 10:08
 
 danagle wrote:
I try not to be a hater... but this guy really drives me nuts for some reason.  He opened for Nickel Creek a couple years ago and I absolutely couldn't stand him.  I was pulling my hair out during his whole set.  Most of the people near me were complaining as well.

Wish I could put my finger on what exactly he did to evoke this response from us.
 
Don't you remember? He burned the flag, insulted your grandmothers, and his intense pyrotechnic show misfired and half the audience was showered with burning debris.{#Wink}  (those things did not actually happen)


danagle
(Sarasota, FL)
Posted: Aug 14, 2009 - 08:49
 
I try not to be a hater... but this guy really drives me nuts for some reason.  He opened for Nickel Creek a couple years ago and I absolutely couldn't stand him.  I was pulling my hair out during his whole set.  Most of the people near me were complaining as well.

Wish I could put my finger on what exactly he did to evoke this response from us.

Ndugu
Posted: Feb 10, 2009 - 14:04
 
Fun trivia: Bird was a member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. As for Scythian Empires, Bird was fascinated with the Scythians in middle school, and made this into a songwriting exercise.


lmic
(Sacramento, CA)
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 - 11:02
 
 rdo wrote:
This really brings to mind Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, as well as Neutral Milk Hotel
I always hear Red House Painters.

Koan
(in or around Toronto)
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 22:35
 
I enjoy this song for different layers in the soundscape, but there's one effect I just figured out why it sounds familiar to me. Remember that giant apparatus they built in "Contact"? When the outer arms are revolving around the sphere, they sound just like that! It's really appealing. What is Andrew Bird using to make that sound?


membeth
(san diego (but missing austin))
Posted: Jan 22, 2009 - 17:27
 
I love this album.  However, the first several times I heard this song, I understood "Sithian Empires" and couldn't figure out what the Russian steppe had to do with Star Wars.

realsleep
Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 20:59
 
Looking forward to his new album coming up in January.


NatureDeficit
(Virginia)
Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 20:56
 
I'll join the empire, thnx


rdo
Posted: Dec 04, 2008 - 06:55
 
This really brings to mind Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, as well as Neutral Milk Hotel

FrankMc
Posted: Dec 04, 2008 - 06:53
 
Among Bird's best, and that's saying a lot.

vandal
(arriving somewhere, but not here. . .)
Posted: Nov 25, 2008 - 17:32
 
 Honeyman wrote:

Simplet in empa
at tusee enka
sorta bout fusta

—-WHISTLING—-

simplet in empa
siset in enfah
simplet in empa
 
bump



rdo
Posted: Nov 20, 2008 - 12:40
 
 alezz_ua wrote:
"Scythian empire, horsemen of the Russia steppe"
It never was Russia steppe. Ukrainian steppe if modern analogue required.
Another thing - Scythians had no empire neither emperor.

Those artists... facts are not worth their attention usually.

Nevertheless song is exactly "quite likeable" {#War}
 

correction -it's outstanding

HarrO
(Florida)
Posted: Nov 02, 2008 - 18:30
 
 Baby_M wrote:
That's no ordinary budgie, mate. That's Ozymandius, Parakeet of Doom.
 
Thanks for the laugh! I needed one just about now.


alezz_ua
(Ukraine, Kyiv)
Posted: Oct 06, 2008 - 02:03
 
"Scythian empire, horsemen of the Russia steppe"
It never was Russia steppe. Ukrainian steppe if modern analogue required.
Another thing - Scythians had no empire neither emperor.

Those artists... facts are not worth their attention usually.

Nevertheless song is exactly "quite likeable" {#War}

vivakitty
(The Girl Who Wrecks Your Dreams)
Posted: Sep 23, 2008 - 12:40
 
window wrote:

This isn't Car Talk, but I think I can help. Try the button labeled "eject".

There's one in every crowd. *grin*


window
(Richmond, VA)
Posted: Sep 04, 2008 - 12:14
 
 Dragonfly_Launch wrote:
I cannot take this disc out of my car.
 
This isn't Car Talk, but I think I can help.  Try the button labeled "eject".

Odyzzeuz
(Austin, Texas)
Posted: Sep 04, 2008 - 12:10
 
 Baby_M wrote:
That's no ordinary budgie, mate. That's Ozymandius, Parakeet of Doom.
 
Gaze upon my paper-lined cage, ye mighty, and despair.


stewliscious
(northGA)
Posted: Sep 04, 2008 - 12:09
 
 Papernapkin wrote:
Scythians were nomadic herders of the steppes north of the Black Sea. Their origin, just like their mother tongue, is essentially unknown. They were among the first nomads riding domesticated horses, which gave them tremendous mobility and power. From the seventh century B. C. they dominated the Eastern part of Europe by conquering most other nomads and agricultural tribes.
 
Horrible bloodthirsty land-hungry George-Bush lovin' Scythians!  That is all.


jpfueler
(South o' Ft Worth)
Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 15:14
 
still no Scythian Bow, damnit
Oh yeah. . . I'm saving my money for a motorcycle

PurplePrincess
(the mountains)
Posted: Aug 17, 2008 - 18:49
 
This is a terrific CD....including the whistling (and yeah I hate that Andy Griffith Mayberry whistling stuff)

OCDHG
(Missing Damascus)
Posted: Aug 03, 2008 - 20:11
 
I love the whistling in this song. Finally a song (that isn't the Andy Griffith intro) where whistling works.


jools
(Brighton UK)
Posted: Jul 22, 2008 - 07:54
 
The annoying whistling bit was in my head all over the weekend - grrrr!
jools
(Brighton UK)
Posted: Jul 22, 2008 - 07:54
 
jools wrote:

Actually, it was Thumper in Bambi who said that first.


Unless your mum was Thumper of course....
jools
(Brighton UK)
Posted: Jul 22, 2008 - 07:53
 
ick wrote:
I could care less what a Scythian is... this song sucks! Oh, maybe I should delete my comment? Mom, always said if I didn't have anything nice to say I shouldn't say anything at all. Mmmmm... screw that, this song still sucks.

Actually, it was Thumper in Bambi who said that first.
Baby_M
(a 100-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio)
Posted: Jul 03, 2008 - 06:50
 
spumoni wrote:
Why's the bird looking into the void?


That's no ordinary budgie, mate. That's Ozymandius, Parakeet of Doom.
ick
(San Diego, CA)
Posted: Jul 03, 2008 - 06:48
 
I could care less what a Scythian is... this song sucks! Oh, maybe I should delete my comment? Mom, always said if I didn't have anything nice to say I shouldn't say anything at all. Mmmmm... screw that, this song still sucks.
Papernapkin
(Mountain View, CA)
Posted: Jun 20, 2008 - 19:14
 
Scythians were nomadic herders of the steppes north of the Black Sea. Their origin, just like their mother tongue, is essentially unknown. They were among the first nomads riding domesticated horses, which gave them tremendous mobility and power. From the seventh century B. C. they dominated the Eastern part of Europe by conquering most other nomads and agricultural tribes.
Chazar
(Orlando, FL)
Posted: May 23, 2008 - 20:06
 

The_Enemy
(The Sewer)
Posted: May 20, 2008 - 09:15
 
Honeyman wrote:
sorta bout fusta


fo'shizzle my Scythizzle

Odyzzeuz
(Austin, Texas)
Posted: May 20, 2008 - 09:11
 
spumoni wrote:
Why's the bird looking into the void? Drawn to the side of dark depressions and desparately seeking a light that inspires flight? Self reflective emotional dwell - outstanding!


When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes into you.
Odyzzeuz
(Austin, Texas)
Posted: May 20, 2008 - 09:10
 
I like this more and more.
vandal
(arriving somewhere, but not here. . .)
Posted: May 20, 2008 - 09:09
 

inindian
(Sea of joy)
Posted: May 06, 2008 - 05:19
 
Honeyman wrote:

Simplet in empa
at tusee enka
sorta bout fusta
---WHISTLING---
simplet in empa
siset in enfah
simplet in empa


I gotta laugh at this. Also like the deep mellow mood of the song along with its probable social comment content.
07734
(Lost Angels)
Posted: May 04, 2008 - 15:55
 
I bought this album based on this song (on RP) and I can't get enough of it. One of the best I've heard this year.