First stop on my quest of writing my way through my ipod is Know By Heart, the 4th release from Texan Indie Rock/Drone Quartet, The American Analog Set.
In my opinion, It's the best of the two albums I have on my ipod (the other is The Golden Band) as it has a little more teeth then the other. It is also their first of two albums released on Tiger Style Records, a New York indie label that have released albums by other notable artists like The Appleseed Cast and The Album Leaf.
The first track of the album has one of the most deceiving titles I have come across in terms of title not marrying up with the sound. "Punk as Fuck", the first track of the album, is in my opinion anything but. This is far from a bad thing. It actually works in their favour. It sets you up to brace yourself for something that could be quick paced and abrasive and instead delivers Soft melodic vocals with almost rain-like acoustic guitars. It sets the feel for the album from the get go.
The album as a whole delivers 12 better than average tracks that run the gamut from acoustic tracks and instrumentals, to bass driven indie rock anthems. The album is a little front heavy with the strongest of the dozen occupying the first half of the release with Punk As Fuck, The Only One and The Postman (which features an appearance from Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie) but is not something you would want to turn off half way through. There are strong pieces on the latter part of the album as well. Making it work as a whole from beginning to end.
In total The American Analog Set has released 6 albums on three different labels including their latest album, 2005's Set Free on well known Toronto based label Arts & Crafts. Although I only have a third of their material, I stand behind Know By Heart and recommend it to anyone looking for something a little more authentic to ad their day to day listening.
Plus it will build street cred with your friends.
Take that shit to the bank.
Stand out tracks:
Punk as Fuck
The Only One
No comments:
Post a Comment