Andrew Bird....and the Vista

Few have developed their own sound more completely than violin songster Andrew Bird. Last Tuesday Bird released his seventh full-length studio album, "Armchair Apocrypha." Instrumentally complex, the songs serve as an ideal soundtrack for long drives alone. Audibly similar to Devotchka, the arching melodies and melancholic violin solos are ripe for repeated spins and subsequent dissection.

Formally trained as a performance violinist, Bird began his career playing pre-war jazz, blues and traditional folk; he even got swept up in the late 90s swing revival. In 2001, with "The Swimming Hour," he found a new and unique jukebox blend of all genres and even threw in some classy rock.

Although the traditional violin, glockenspiel, whistling and drums are still present, on "AA," Bird infuses guitar and piano more completely to create layered songs. The music works two ways: as great background noise for a mellow party and as a knot of troubling lyrics, incandescent harmonies and synergistic instruments to untangle and stretch out for increased comprehension. Key tracks include "Fiery Crash," a rolling opener straight out of cinematic opening credits, radio-ready quot;Heretics" and the graceful, poignant quot;Scythian Empires." The bottom line: If you liked the soundtrack to "Little Miss Sunshine," check this out.