Various Artists – This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute To The Beatles’ Rubber Soul
1965’s Rubber Soul was the first Beatles full-length to drown out their fans’ screams with its musical innovations. It cut deeper lyrically, while interpolating the folk and country elements that were energizing contemporaries Bob Dylan and the Byrds. In light of the latter, it comes as little surprise that many of the artists who lined up for this track-by-track homage are familiar to the Americana world: Mindy Smith, Yonder Mountain String Band, Rhett Miller. Alas, their respectful interpretations add little to the sterling source material; on a given weekend, you could hear comparable renditions from any competent bar band or coffeehouse canary across the country.
Vastly superior are the left-field participants who anticipate the mind-blowing Fabs of Sgt. Pepper and Revolver. Weirdo siblings Fiery Furnaces overhaul “Norwegian Wood” with roller-rink organ, garage-sale drums, and discordant, multi-tracked vocals. Sufjan Stevens splits “What Goes On” into two distinct sections: The choruses are lush pastorals of woodwinds, banjo, and sweet choral harmonies, while the verses are herky-jerky rock outbursts. 21-year-old New York chanteuse Nellie McKay gives “If I Needed Someone” a Cool School makeover, dusted with finger snaps and cocktail piano, while the Cowboy Junkies conclude the set with a harrowing “Run For Your Life”, singer Margo Timmons sounding like a stalker who has been wide awake, plotting revenge, for many nights.
Only Ben Harper, who renders “Michelle” even more maudlin by adding a reggae backbeat, truly lays an egg, but overall This Bird is more of a curiosity than a compulsory purchase.