Show Review: Akron/Family & Delicate Steve, 3/28/2011

In preface: I have long loved Akron/Family. Was head-over-heels smitten after their Angels of Light split (still their watershed moment as far as I’m concerned). I’ve followed them on each album since their debut, albeit with a slightly lesser attention/expectation than I did when they first hit the scene, but not much less. However, and this despite Erin’s love for it, I have not given more than a couple listens to the first few songs of this most recent one record, S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT, (not that I don’t have plans to).

In post-preface preface: I am, regrettably, and even while in the midst of my late twenty-somethings, becoming an apathetic, curmudgeonly doubter when it comes to live shows. I’m a wet blanket, pure and simple, holding every expectation that I’ll be let down, constantly wishing that instead of standing in a bar/garage, I was plushly seated in a concert hall, and even more than that, laying in bed at home.

A post-preface-preface note: Being an Akron/Family show, there was no shortage of lengthy haired, full bearded men in the audience. Something to keep in mind I suppose.

Akron/Family and their really weird/long album title

I went on a really long drive to see a friend this weekend and I tried out a few albums on the way.  Out of all the listens, the new Akron/Family, S/T II: The Cosmic Birth And Journey of Shinju TNT was BY FAR my favorite, and it was up against some total heavy hitters. I had to put it on repeat, cause after I went through it once that was all I wanted to hear the rest of the day. This actually surprised me, because even though I enjoyed their last release, Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free, I felt like it was a step back for them, and with backward steps, more backwards steps usually come, but not in this case. The Cosmic Birth might be one small step for Akron/Family, but it is one giant step for musickind! Akron/Family took all their chewy folky pop goodness and wrapped it in a rich layer of happy rock and roll this time around. The Cosmic Birth is completely seeping with creativity and lush full melodies all the while still keeping their DIY sounding aesthetic. Many of the tracks encase various movements and feelings within very cohesive 3 minute pop songs that are sometimes so subtle and quiet and lovely and dizzying, and at other times totally rocking/headphone shattering.  This time around they stuck to the harmonizing they know best: the yelly, clap your hands and shake your head kind of harmonizing. I'm a total sucker for that and their tribal/rhythmic drumming. OMG, I'm a sucker for it all.  This album will undoubtedly be on my year end list. Mmmmmm, the guitars are sticky, the rumblings are hypnotic, the bass is heavy, it's so sexy. Watch this really lame video and give me comments of agreeance.



And don't forget that they will be playing Urban Lounge on March 28th. We made a poster for it that you can see here 

13.

Akron/Family & Angels of Light
Akron/Family & Angels of Light
(Young God, 2005)

When Akron/Family created the first half of this split CD they must’ve been aware of the impact it would have on thousands of listeners around the world. I mean how could you listen to it and not immediately mark Akron/Family as your new favourite band of all time? In seven songs, Akron/Family crammed in more creativity, energy and sheer musical bravado than could be heard in 5o full albums from all the RIYL bands that you could throw at them. Bursts of uncontrolled imagination spill all over the band's contribution to this split effort. Angels of Light’s half of the split hangs over Akron/Family like a wise parent, tempering it and revealing some of my favourite songs Michael Gira has put out. The combination is sheer glory and jewels...sheer glory and jewels.

-Thistle

Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free

Akron/Family
Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free
(05.2009, Dead Oceans)
Verdict: It's realllllly grood.

The Akron trio's influences run deep. I have read reviews citing Akron/Family's influences as Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, and The Grateful Dead. Those three don't really seem to mix to me. I guess I can see where those comparisons might be made, but overall Akron/Family is it's own beast, and always has been. What's great is that every album they produce is also it's own beast, bridging new sounds and vast experimentation on their sounds while still holding onto a distinct Akron/Fam feel. Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free has new play with looping, especially on the track "Creatures," which is possibly my least favorite track. The Family is much better at yelling and causing a ruckus than crooning and I have a major beef with "Creatures" harmonic last half because it sounds exactly like the Avett Brothers harmonies, and I HATE the Avett Brothers. My favorite tracks are the more wild ones such as opener "Everyone is Guilty," but the slower moments hold the album together into a seamless cohesive album that is full of diversity and very pleasurable to the ears. Other than the brief Avett moment, this album is killer. There are a lot of haters floating around, but I say don't listen, they just don't like artist evolution. Set 'Em Wild comes highly recommended by yours truly.

-Sass

Here's a really stupid music video for title track "Set 'Em Free"

Akron Family - Love Is Simple

Akron/Family
Love Is Simple
(09.2007, Young God)
8.5/10

Akron/Family has set a ridiculously high bar for themselves. In 2005 Akron/Family released their debut self-titled full length album; a beautiful blend of gorgeous outsider folk with light prog/electronic tendencies that instantly proved their ability to craft timeless songs. Shortly thereafter, in that same year, Akron/Family dropped what is for me the defining moment of their career so far: split full length with Michael Gira of Angels of Light. The seven songs that the band contributed to the first half of this split are flawless, careening through, possibly, the most imaginative and energetic set of songs I have ever heard. Akron/Family juggled so many different styles with such an imaginative reckless abandon and were so successful doing so that they instantly earned themselves a permanent spot in my heart and have become a band that I have continually watched since. 2006 saw the "not bad" release of Meek Warrior, an EP length disc that failed to approach the consistency or vision of the bands' previous releases, but still provided undeniable evidence of their talent. It is not hard to see why Love Is Simple, the true follow up to their debut and the possible realization of what they accomplished on their Angels of Light split, has been such an anticipated event for me. However, with anticipation comes the almost inevitable let down – whatever the degree. It has happened plenty this year with similarly adored musicians like Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird and Liars. Each produced albums that are well above the average but undeniably lesser accomplishments to the release that directly proceeded it, creating an unfortunate yet unavoidable slight let down. Oh Akron/Family, my sweet sweet Akron/Family, I’m sorry, I just can’t help but listen to Love Is Simple with the same disposition. It just has to be said. Beyond this point there is much to rejoice about in Akron/Family's most recent opus. Akron/Family has always had too many ideas for their own good and Love Is Simple is no different, scattering itself in all directions and exploring every possible option. Somehow, on Love Is Simple, Akron/Family has become even more rooted in the already evident hippie leanings of their past releases. For honest listeners this should be a refreshing and slightly humorous twist on the largely cynical lyrics of the most modern indie music. Love Is Simple is still one of the top albums of this year and is just as good an entry point to the bands gloriously indefinable musical aesthetic as anything. A must listen for every spectrum of the indie world. (oh yeah, and you get an excellent Akron/Family DVD to boot!)

-Mr. Thistle

Akron/Family - "Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead"

Goodies

GOODIES
I keep forgetting to post all these lovely goodies that I run into. So, let's catch up a little today.

A new video featuring the song "Seahorse" from Devendra Banhart's new release Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon has been posted on youtube. It seems like a slightly jazzier side is coming out Devendra. Watch for this album to be released September 25th.



The end of October (the 23rd to be exact) we will see an amazing new album from Black Dice released. This album seems like it may just show a catchy-er side of the band. I already love this track. This is by far the best goodie I will be posting today.

Black Dice - Kokomo

Also, watch for the new Akron/Family album "Love Is Simple" which is due out September 18th. This single has interestingly strange lyrics. I am curious and want to hear the album front to back. I don't think that this one song is giving us an adequate representation of what the album will be like, but I guess we'll see.

Akron Family - "Phenomena"

I'm sure you have all hear the mass amounts of publicity that the new M.I.A. album is receiving. As much as I love Arular, Kala just doesn't seem to be holding up. It's more dancy, with a whole lot less of those deep base amazing beats that we grew to love from the old album. Here is a sample clip from a song she covered called "Jimmy."



-Sassigrass