Break It Yourself, the sixth solo full-length from Chicago musician Andrew Bird, finds the singer/songwriter/violinist more reserved than on his past few releases, notably the baroque pop of 2007’s Armchair Apocrypha and 2009’s Noble Beasts, but still in fine form. Joined by his longtime backing band, Bird spent one week recording the fourteen tracks live in his barn outside the city. The set is introspective and filled with Bird’s characteristically unique fusion of gypsy, jazz, folk, chamber pop and indie rock through well-crafted strings, steel, reverb and whistles. Standouts include “Eyeoneye” and the eight minute plus track “Hole In the Ocean Floor.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Daniel Martin Moore, Ben Sollee, Sufjan Stevens, M. Ward