aaamusic | On 18, Oct 2010

Useless Creatures is the latest full-length release from Andrew Bird – and the first thing to say that comes to mind is: it’s very interesting. The album is essentially made up of lyric-free, very atmospheric soundscapes, in the vein of acts such as Mogwai and Aphex Twin/Polygon Window. Useless Creatures is deliberately rough around the edges – make no mistake, it isn’t an easy listen. One actually feels more at ease in the jumpier tracks (see Carrion Suite) than the apparently calmer ones – there’s always that sense that out of nowhere the quiet balance will be broken. It takes a lot of talent to create and maintain this kind of tension, and Bird is definitely an original thinker. His output will however inevitably be an acquired taste though, as records of this sort almost always are. Bird’s prolific use of string instruments could conceivably have him compared to Max Richter – however, as aforementioned Useless Creatures is far more risky musically than Richter. It’s a fairly unusual sound that won’t please all – Theodor Adorno, however, would definitely approve.

Author: Katharine Sparks