Andrew Bird Weather Systems

Personnel: Andrew Bird (vocals, violin); Nora O'Connor (vocals, guitar); Mark Nevers (guitar); Kevin O'Donnell (drums, percussion, glockenspiel).
Recorded at Bird Machine Studio, Chicago, Illinois.
With 2003's WEATHER SYSTEMS, indie-pop singer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird extinguishes his Bowl of Fire ensemble, and opts to carry on as a solo artist. The resulting collection is fittingly pared down, with the record's spare, subdued songs drawing greater attention to Bird's melancholy vocals and delicate violin work (see the drifting "Lull" and the dreamy "Action/Adventure"). With Bird aided by former Bowl of Fire members Nora O'Connor (vocals, guitar) and Kevin O'Donnell (drums), WEATHER SYSTEMS is not a complete departure from the BOF era, but it marks a new phase of the Chicago performer's impressive career, and readily stands out as one of his finest albums.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Pop