{"id":1384,"date":"2009-03-21T20:00:22","date_gmt":"2009-03-21T20:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.71.127.204\/wordpress\/?p=1384"},"modified":"2015-10-15T17:18:26","modified_gmt":"2015-10-15T17:18:26","slug":"andrew-bird-w-the-heartless-bastards-house-of-blues-houston-tx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2009\/03\/21\/andrew-bird-w-the-heartless-bastards-house-of-blues-houston-tx\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Bird w\/ The Heartless Bastards – House of Blues – Houston, TX"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Written by James Dillon <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mar 21, 2009 at 08:00 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Image\"Spring break in Houston typically means a mass exodus of college students heading to Austin to be overwhelmed with music during South By South West. This year I decided to stay in our fair city, spend time with some good friends visiting from out of town, and catch a couple shows that I had been dying to see for quite some time now. The first show I was lucky enough to see was Elton John and Billy Joel at Toyota center on Thursday (which was absolutely amazing) and Andrew Bird with Heartless Bastards on Saturday at House of Blues. Not a bad way to spend a\u00a0 spring break in Houston.<\/p>\n

After seeing the insane spectacle (and possibly drinking too much) at Toyota Center only Thursday night, Andrew Bird on Saturday was much lower key event, but still impressed me more than I thought it would. That is saying a lot because I was expecting to be completely blown away by Andrew Bird.<\/p>\n

House of Blues, as I\u2019ve said before has its downsides, but as far as sound and lighting goes, it tends to be top notch. So in spite of not being able to afford drinks during the show, the venue wasn\u2019t a terrible choice for the evening\u2019s festivities.<\/p>\n

I made my way into the venue just as Heartless Bastards were starting their set. I had heard quite a bit about this band, but hadn\u2019t managed to hear them. So going to the set with a clean slate I was initially unimpressed, but that changed. The group plays classic rock style music, with the singer singing in a gruff, raspy voice. Anytime the songs would start to sound like generic classic rock, steel guitar would be added, or the song would take an interesting twist to keep the song from getting boring. After seeing them, I wouldn\u2019t consider myself a fan, but I understand why a lot of journalists seem to be raving about this group.<\/p>\n

I am not sure where to begin with trying to explain how amazing Andrew Bird is live. I feel as if words are irrelevant and will just simply seem like hyperbole. The man is a musical genius, and has an understanding of pitch and key far greater than anyone I have seen in a long time. Whistling and playing glockenspiel perfectly in key, singing while playing violin, and brilliant guitar work are all in a day\u2019s work for Andrew Bird. In addition to being able to play music like a mad man, he writes absolutely wonderful songs. Since going solo a few years ago, he hasn\u2019t released a bad album. While his latest album \u201cNoble Beast\u201d is not his best work, the songs were fantastic to hear live.<\/p>\n

In addition to the new songs, older gems were worked in to the set. Personal favorites included \u201cOpposite Day\u201d, \u201cPlasticities\u201d, and \u201cFake Palindromes\u201d.\u00a0 These songs were met with great approval by the diverse croud Bird was able to draw. The venue errupted with applause nearly everytime the man whistled (which made me really irritated with the bros in front of me).<\/p>\n

After a perfect set of great songs and catchy whistling the night was sadly ended. Personally, I could have listened to him for quite a while longer, but I can\u2019t always get what I want. Leaving the venue was interesting, as Amanda Palmer\u2019s show was ending at the same time, and I saw tons of people in costumes, and a drunk 17 year old guy in a dress passed out leaning up against the wall.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by James Dillon Mar 21, 2009 at 08:00 PM Spring break in Houston typically means a mass exodus of college students heading to Austin to be overwhelmed with music during South By South West. This year I decided to stay in our fair city, spend time with some good friends visiting from out of… <\/p>\n

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