“I Want to See Pulaski at Night” Andrew Bird
Latest from Andrew Bird is a 7-song set of indie folk-pop that’s all instrumental except for the title track. Reportedly, the title comes from a phrase uttered by a foreign exchange student who was interested in seeing a neighborhood in Chicago named after Polish and American revolutionary war hero, Casmir Pulaski. The instrumentals are all intricately layered, hypnotic loops demonstrating Bird’s musical prowess with the violin, resulting in a number of wonderful selections.
— Francis

Recommended: 4 (vocal), 1, 5, 7 No FCCs.

1. (6:46) Ethio Invention no. 1 – Harp-like plucking with swirls and swells of strings and guitar — building to a full symphonic sound. ***
2. (3:15) Lit from Underneath – Melodic, with plucked strings and flute-like whistling. Almost an Asian quality at times.
3. (1:09) Logan’s Loop – Folk-rockish. Strummy, with a prominent bass line. Can be played on Continuous as a short lead-in to the title track (#4).
4. (4:49) Pulaski at Night – Only vocal number on the CD. Starts tentatively with plucked strings, then becomes a whirling, swirling dance. “Come back to Chicago, City of Light.” ****
5. (3:29) Hover I – Delicate, proper, almost classical sound. Beautiful. ***
6. (4:41) Hover II – Multiple layers work together to create a compelling soundscape. Plucked and bowed strings with a dash of piano in places.
7. (8:18) Ethio Invention no. 2 – Plucked and rapidly bowed strings provide a rhythmic foundation for Bird’s soaring violin stylings in this lengthy and intricate instrumental.