B-Side Guys

Let’s explore two tracks from The Beard and the Bird’s catalog: “Dust If You Must” and “Take the 219” – each offering a distinct perspective on breaking free from life’s daily grind.

“Dust If You Must” transforms a cherished poem into a blues meditation on mortality and meaning. The band demonstrates remarkable restraint in their musical adaptation, allowing the weighted wisdom of each line to sink in rather than drowning it in unnecessary flourishes. The genius here lies in how they’ve maintained the poem’s contemplative nature while giving it a subtle rhythmic pulse that makes its message even more immediate and affecting.

The verses flow like gentle reminders from a wise friend, each one building upon the last. “Paint a picture, or write a letter / Bake a cake, or plant a seed” becomes more than just a list of activities when set to music – it becomes a manifesto for living. The blues arrangement serves as the perfect vehicle for these existential observations, lending gravity to lines like “Old age will come and it’s not kind” without tipping into melodrama.

In contrast, “Take the 219” paints a vivid portrait of escape via New York’s hidden highway gems. The track practically burns rubber from the opening lines, with lyrics that capture both the desperation of city life (“dancing on the edge of a knife”) and the promise of rural redemption (“80 shades of green”).

The songwriting here is particularly sharp, with lines like “that candle you been burnin’s all out of wax” and “no cheddar left for the rat race” elevating what could have been standard-issue escapism into something more nuanced and knowing. The Americana arrangement perfectly mirrors the journey described – starting tight and tense before opening up into something more expansive and free.

While not released as a pair, these tracks showcase The Beard and the Bird’s versatility as storytellers, equally comfortable with philosophical ruminations and road-trip anthems. Their ability to tackle both abstract concepts and concrete experiences while maintaining their musical identity speaks to their range as artists.

Together, these songs remind us that liberation comes in many forms – whether it’s choosing to live more fully in the moment or hitting the highway in search of something new. In both cases, The Beard and the Bird provide a compelling soundtrack for the journey.