The members of New York based Akron/Family have been working relentlessly since signing to Young God Records in 2003. The four gents have released two full length albums and a split LP with label mates Angels of Light while touring the country. The most recent of which is the exciting and challenging Meek Warrior. Akron/Family make it clear from the opening song that they are not attempting to simply rehash the successful formula used in their lauded debut. The frenetic guitar riff and ominous, insistent drums are a far cry from the melodic, understated finger-picking one finds on their previous record. The intensity slowly evolves into an amalgamation of hand claps, dissonant murmurs, and finally an impassioned chant. One could easily see a song like "Blessing Force" being separated into four songs due to Akron/Family's tendency towards progressive and constant variation. At times, Akron/Family sounds like a relative of Animal Collective due to their unbridled, exuberant sing-a-long style and eccentric campfire folksy sensibilities. Meek Warrior is organic, cosmic, and unrestrained all at once; it’s the kind of album that can grow on you.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Review - Meek Warrior 6.7/10
Review - Into the Blue Again 8.6/10
The latest release from multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle a.k.a. The Album Leaf expands on the distinctive, ethereal sound established on his previous records. LaValle delicately crafts songs reminiscent of Sigur Ros in orchestral grandeur, but with abundant use of a Rhodes piano and programmed drum beats, Into The Blue Again is distinctively Album Leaf. Enlisting Pall Jenkins to help with writing lyrics, LaValle's vocals are more prominent than ever before. On the second track, "Always For You", LaValle sings "Through the cities I've walked / In castles I dream / On mountains I've climbed / When I called your name". Paired lush, layered sounds, the album evokes a cinematic quality in which the protagonist is a weary lovelorn traveler . Each song slowly builds into an inspiring crescendo and is resolved in seven minutes or less. In the iTunes era, in which singles take precedent over full albums, LaValle has succeeded in creating a cohesive, flawlessly integrated record. Recorded in Washington and mixed in Iceland, Into The Blue Again transports the listener to equally familiar and distant places. Tranquility never sounded this good.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Majesty, OH WORD?
For those of you lucky enough to have caught Mr. Stevens on his current tour, you'll be familiar with the EPIC new song Majesty, Snowbird . If you haven't heard it, or simply want an mp3 version, clickity clack on that there link and download the song. You won't be disappointed.
