Here's the latest on the upcoming Andrew Bird album we first told you about a while ago. For Birdmaniacs, the news is all good. First off, Fat Possum has moved the release date for Noble Beast up a week, to January 20, so that's seven days less of hand-wringing and breathless anticipation for you. Second, and even more intriguing, is that the deluxe version (physical release only -- sorry,  digital dudes and dolls) will come packaged with a bonus disc entitled Useless Creatures, an all-instrumental album that finds Bird working in tandem with bassist Todd Sickafoose and drummer Glen Kotche. And if that wasn't enough, the whole thing comes in an elaborate package that will include a fold-out poster (what is this, the '70s?) and an illustrated, 24-page lyric booklet.

Track list:

Noble Beast 1.) Oh No 2.) Masterswarm 3.) Fitz and the Dizzyspells 4.) Effigy 5.) Tenuousness 6.) Nomenclature 7.) ouo 8.) Not a Robot, But a Ghost 9.) Unfolding Fans 10.) Anonanimal 11.) Natural Disaster 12.) The Privateers 13.) Souverian 14.) On Ho   Useless Creatures 1.) Master Sigh 2.) You Woke Me Up! 3.) Nyatiti 4.) The Barn Tapes 5.) Carrion Suite 6.) Spinney 7.) Dissent 8.) Hot Math 9.) Sigh Master