If you can’t wait two weeks — or haven’t been one of those fortunate enough to find the leak — NPR is streaming Andrew Bird’s newest album, Noble Beast, while Bird is streaming the accompanying bonus disc, Useless Creatures.
The album is set to be released through Fat Possum Records on Jan. 20 in various formats; including a standard single-disc edition and a deluxe edition that will include the instrumental companion CD Useless Creatures. Useless Creatures features collaborations with Glenn Kotche and Todd Sickafoose and the deluxe edition will include a foldout poster and a 24-page lyric booklet illustrated by Diana Sudyka.
In other Andrew Bird news, the Chicago native will perform the Big Shoulders Ball: Chicago Celebrates Change in celebration of Barack Obama’s inauguration as president of the United States on Jan 19. The event will be hosted by Chicago rock club The Hideout and the Interchange Festival, but will be held at Black Cat in Washington, D.C. Other artists set to appear are Ted Leo, Tortoise, Waco Brothers, Eleventh Dream Day, Jon Langford, Sally Timms, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Ken Vandermark, Freakwater, Icy Demons and Judson Claiborne, as well as some special guests.
Bird initially found success as an honorary member of Chapel Hill-based Squirrel Nut Zippers. He contributed his violin to the albums Hot, Perennial Favorites and Bedlam Ballroom.
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