Daily Download: "Sovay" and "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left," Andrew Bird, from "The Mysterious Production of Eggs"

Ex-Squirrel Nut Zipper, swing revivalist and faux-rustic Andrew Bird (say three Hail Marys to absolve him of his sins) is on the straight and narrow these days, exorcizing his demons and excising the precious stylistic hokiness of his earlier work. What's left is his astounding talent. He's still too clever by half, but it's hard to care very much when he can spin out so many gorgeous melodies, create such strange and haunting instrumental textures, whistle like a crazily virtuosic violinist (which he also, by the way, is), and sound so languidly, sensuously relaxed while doing it. "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" (nice) and "Sovay" (nicer) are both from Bird's excellent new record "Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs," out Feb. 8 on Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records.
Free Download: "Sovay"
Free Download: "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left"