Andrew Bird
's second album
Oh! The Grandeur
reunites him with his
Bowl of Fire
counterparts, as well as some special collaborators like the
Squirrel Nut Zippers
'
James Mathus
. Recorded in New Orleans, the album builds on the hot
jazz
/
Brecht
vibe that
pioneered on their first album
Thrills
, but focuses more on
Bird
's witty lyrics and deadpan delivery, as tracks like
"Tea & Thorazine"
and
"The Idiot's Genius"
display. Musically,
keeps the live, one-take feeling of its predecessor, and
's fiddle playing is as expressive as ever. ~ Heather Phares