Andrew Bird: Fever Year (Xan Aranda, 2011): USA

Reviewed by Luke Catena; Santa Barbara Film Festival 2012.

Classically trained and thoroughly awkward, Andrew Bird is my new favorite musician. I have liked him since I was about 16 and saw him perform live in Denver, CO, however after watching Xan Aranda’s documentary, Fever Year, my respect for this man is palpable. Equipped with a violin, a guitar, looping pedals, and just about every other instrument you can imagine, Andrew Bird creates music almost too beautiful for my ears.

With all the heavy bass, dupstep, electro-fusion, blah, blah, blah music which is so popular today, it is refreshing to hear a true classical musician create. And what outstanding music he creates.

Whether solo or backed by a band, Bird’s live performances are works of art. He says himself he does not want a show to be too accurate because it is a “waste of a precious moment”. He is basically making up his song in his mind as he plays, but he is always a step ahead of himself. One instance, while on stage he is playing the violin on a loop for the melody. He knows he has to end the loop and grab his guitar to continue the song but his guitar is feet away. He finishes his part of the violin and the crowd cheers, but he holds up a finger to signal “one moment”. He grabs his guitar and finishes the song to more cheers. Quietly he mumbles into the microphone, “Sorry, I needed to loop the melody, then grab the guitar, and…” he trails off to continue another song.

Improvisation is his forte and he is good at what he does.

One of the more beautiful scenes of the film is when he returns to his family farm. Beautiful nature shots accompany terrific sounds emulating from his living room.

The reason for the title, Fever Year, is due to the fact that Bird had a strenuous touring schedule. Because of this, he spent the entire year sickly. His band mates could see the toll it was taking on their friend but he never gave up and rarely complained, at least not to the cameras.

Nearly every person in the crowd was astounded by Andrew Bird upon leaving the theater. I could bet more than half went home and bought his CD’s, or probably illegally downloaded them. Either way, I get to see him live once again at Coachella this year. For those going, this is not a show to miss.