Andrew Bird Celebrates Brooklyn

It's seven pm in Prospect Park, Brooklyn and there's at least a mile-long line winding its way around a fenced off concert area. People are scattered everywhere on multicolored blankets having picnics while waiting for the show to start. Who's drawing all this attention? Why are people waiting in an absurd line to maybe squeeze into the fenced off area with the stage & booze stands? Andrew Bird is kicking off the start of the Celebrate Brooklyn free concert series in the park. If you're already a fan of this ridiculously talented Chicago-born and bred artist then there's no need for explanation as to why the line is so disgustingly long. 

   Bird, classically trained in the suzuki method, is a fabulous multi-instrumentalist and lyricist who adds quirky twists of glockenspiel, guitar and whistling to create unforgettably beautiful songs.
   It isn't until half past eight that Bird comes on stage and silence sweeps over the audience as attention is focused on the thin man with the violin center stage. He begins to play a few notes of "Why" and the bar was set high for the rest of the night. Every song Bird played either by himself or with his band "Bowl of Fire" was absolutely spell-bindingly brilliant. The song line-up for the night began with "Why" and was followed throughout the two hours with "Imitosis," "Plasticities," "Darkmatter," "Scythian Empires," "Tables and Chairs," "Effigy," "A Nervous Tic Motion of The Head To The Left" with many other tracks spanning all ten of his albums. Even though it was absolutely incredible experiencing him play live all the songs I've loved, it was a treat when he revealed he was going to perform a NEW SONG from his unreleased new album! The song is called "Give It Away" and it has a pop-ish, fun and light-hearted feel to it. Like most of Bird's songs, the lyrics hold real weight and end up giving the listener questions to ponder. Some may not like that quality of his music then some love it. If you are of the former group, then Andrew Bird may not be for you.
   Overall, this concert kickoff for the Celebrate Brooklyn series couldn't have gone any better. Andrew Bird put on a beautifully orchestrated, colorful and vivacious show. To check his new song "Give It Away" click on the link below. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e3lVO1jel8

Andrew Bird Celebrates Brooklyn

Mono - Two Albums

Today, two albums by Mono: You Are There and Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and The Sun Shined.
Mono is a heavy post-rock group from Japan, on par with other post-rock groups such as Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor and lighter doom groups such as Pelican - who, interestingly enough, performed alongside Mono on a split album in 2005 that's only available in extremely limited supply on vinyl.
Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and The Sun Shined, in particular, is an extremely interesting album, if only for its name and packaging. Inside the CD case, there is a red square of paper and directions for constructing a paper crane which are fairly easy to follow (well, at least until step 6). This is a reference to the final track "a thousand paper cranes" which is based off of a story of a terminally ill girl who attempts to construct a thousand cranes in order to have a wish granted. The crane I ended up making resembled the work of an experienced origami master...that had just been trampled by an ox.

Your Are There
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W7EE9EMR

Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and The Sun Shined
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HFQ8PVW7

Mono - Two Albums

The Octopus Project and Black Moth Super Rainbow - The House of Apples and Eyeballs

This album is a collaborative between The Octopus Project and Black Moth Super Rainbow, both the most unique electronic bands you will ever find. Black Moth Super Rainbow comes from Western Pennsylvania and sounds like a forest festival with magical fairies. The Octopus Project has pop beats fueled by synthesizer fun and assorts of other cool stuff. Instead of making a split like regular musicians do, they pretty much just merged into one super amazing band becoming the coolest sound that you will ever hear.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nrz4n0m2mxi

The Octopus Project and Black Moth Super Rainbow - The House of Apples and Eyeballs