Noting these together not only because Daniel L set me up with both recently, but also because they're two albums rather of a piece - quirky, sensitive-sounding, folkish, melodic while not afraid of a left turn or three, violins galore (including, in the case of Kishi Bashi, a fair bit of whatever the violin equivalent of shredding is). Both very likeable, and filled with good tunes; the Andrew Bird is a bit more Sufjan-y (also a little bit Nick Drake), whereas Kishi Bashi tends more towards that stream of latter day avant-pop Beach Boy followers. As I said, lots of good songs on both records, but "Manchester", from 151a, is especially seriously damn sweet.
