Have you listened to Bowerbirds?

(photo by Alissa Anderson, via Bowerbirds’ Web site)

Just when I thought I couldn’t love the Bowerbirds more, Stereogum posted about their take-away show in New York.

I was already enamored with the band after seeing them in Chicago in March, but after watching these four videos I pretty much fell in love with them all over again. Live, among the three band members they play acoustic guitar, accordion, autoharp, a bass drum, violin, and this keyboard-type thing you play with your feet to get really low bass notes (no idea what it’s called). Add to that solid, three-part harmonies and great lyrics and I could probably listen to them forever.

The videos obviously are stripped down, since they are playing in a store and a car and while walking down the street, but the music is still incredibly clear. I have to admit that part of why I love the videos (and the band) so much is that they use a bass drum like what I played in marching band in high school, and when they’re walking down the street, I can’t help but think of that. Also, I love how cautious Beth looks, and well, rightfully so because I imagine it can’t be too easy to play an accordion and walk at the same time.

If you check them out, my favorite video is the one for “In Our Talons,” and you also can listen to a bunch of their songs at myspace.com/bowerbirds.