Just the other day, I was thinking to myself “Isn’t it about time for a new Andrew Bird album? Because I could really use one.” Turns out, it is that time, which is great! Due January 27, 2009 from Fat Possum Records, Bird will bring us Noble Beast, the follow-up to 2007’s Armchair Apocrypha (TMT Review). The new album will consist of 12 tracks, with the new single “Oh No” ready to be heard right here. In typical Bird fashion, this song is very literate and features his signature violin and whistle.

To prepare for the unleashing of Noble Beast, Bird will be making a few live appearances to road-test some of his new material. (The inclusion of Bird’s alter ego Dr. Stringz may or may not rear his head on these dates.) Meanwhile, the Bird man will be appearing on the new Final Fantasy EP, Plays to Please, out October 21.

Noble Beast tracklisting:

1. Oh No 2. Masterswarm 3. Fitz and the Dizzyspells 4. Effigy 5. Tenuousness 6. Nomenclature 7. Not a Robot, But a Ghost 8. Anonanimal 9. Natural Disaster 10. Confess 11. Souverian 12. On Ho!

Andrew Bird remaining dates:

10.07.08 - New York, NY - Hiro Ballroom 10.07.08 - Brooklyn, NY - BARACK ROCK Music Hall of Williamsberg 10.08.08 - Portsmouth, NH - The Music Hall 10.09.08 - Albany, NY - Swyer Theatre 10.10.08 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre 10.19.08 - Los Angeles, CA - Largo at The Coronet 10.20.08 - Los Angeles, CA - Largo at The Coronet