Reviews
American Analog Set
Set Free
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Add to del.ico.us.Review Date: 2005-10-14
A certain amount of pressure and expectations come along with being the first non Canadian band to be signed to Arts & Crafts. What American Analog Set has going for them is that they aren't a new, massively hyped band that was "discovered" by Broken Social Scene. Instead, they have been around since 1995, and already developed a solid and loyal fanbase. Certainly, being on Arts & Crafts really is a boost to anyone's career due to the hype and ridiculous credibility that label gets (see Most Serene Republic) who got much hype inspite of rather poor material. Here is an example of how being signed to Arts & Crafts works for American Analog Set. I saw this band live around 2000, and liked what I heard. However, they seldom crossed my mind over the last nearly six years. That is, until they sign to Arts & Crafts and are heralded as being the first non Canadian band on said label. All of a sudden my interest is perked, and I make an effort to hear the album. I'm sure that I am not alone in doing this.
So I am somewhat guilty of doing a bit of the Pied Piper syndrome. I don't care, this album is really damn good. Most of the reviews I have read agree, and not many people would argue with the assertion that the album is their best to date. But in hearing this, it also inspired me to download a lot of their older stuff. And guess what? That is also very good. And though I was rather hammered, I recall the concert being excellent as well. You didn't just think Arts & Crafts was going to dive into America by signing just any band did you? I guess this was somewhat predictable.
"Set Free" is a tight collection of 12 songs, that sound like a band who is extremely focussed, and a band that has matured over the years. The album is low key, heavy on the distortion, and the melodies are catchy but not in a jumping out at you kinda way. It is all more of a slowburn. You hear the album, and then a few hours later you realize that every song is caught in your head and then it dawns on you how good it is. There is a certain ambience to the style of their music, or maybe it would be better to call it atmosphere. I remember it being very chill live, but it is even more obvious on the new disc. But.. this is an album. Nothing jumps out as an obvious single, and not really one sing screams out as being the dominant track. I say that because if you are the type who doesn't give albums a chance to sink in, then you might dismiss this on one listen. That my friends, would be a mistake. Moving on.
The album opens with one of the more optimistic sounding songs, on an otherwise somewhat morose album. "Born On The Cusp", lyrically certainly isn't full of cheer and really none of these songs are. But the way the guitar, and the drums rythmically jump against the quiet vocals create just enough to start you grooving. I am pretty sure they use a xylophone, or a similar sound effect throughout as well which is a nifty touch. The song is about always being on the cusp, and doing things that probably arent necessarily the smartest decision but just going straight ahead and not looking back anyways. Let's just say, I know where they are coming from. And it is always catching up to you.
Here we are again, with another track fu LOSER. Not just a song that didn't win, but actually the song that lost out the epic one hour shaq-sized track fu from two weeks ago. Meaning Terri judged it to be the worst song out of like 16 songs. "Cool Kids Keep", which I am about to say is close to the best song on the album. Differing tastes obviously, just rather amusing. I put this in track fu because it isn't as down trodden as the other tracks. It has a snazzy distorted bassline, and I find the vocals to really work well for singing along with. The topic matter is a dark look at the life of the cool kids, and how they tend to group themselves together. You know, safety in numbers. Judging by the bitterness of the lyrics, American Analog Set didn't consider themselves to be the cool kids. Terri's beef was with the heavy distortion on the vocals, which I would highlight as something I like about the song. You say potato I say patoto... know what I'm saying? Definitely worthy of another look.
"Sharp Briar" is the type of music you would find me listening to after just getting some shitty news, or when I was in deep contemplation. It isn't jarring at all, and the mood of the music is soothing. I find that listening to American Analog Set in general causes me to get lost deep in thought. It rarely makes me feel happy. That might turn a lot of you off, but I have always been a sucker for music like this. I think Iron & Wine, or the aforementioned by Ronan Death Cab For Cutie is a good comparison for this sound. It actually reminds me quite a bit of lullabyes... except nowhere near as optimistic as lullabyes tend to be. I also can't help but mention Elliott Smith because I think vocally at times I can hear a comparison. But, his vocals were always more raw and clean. These are heavily produced.
Alright "Fuck this... I'm Leaving", no just kidding. That is just the song name, but it made for a good cheesey opening line. All of the aforementioned songs have something about them that balances out the sadness that is evident in the songs. This one, does not. It still incorporates a nice ambient sound into the backdrop, but there is no cathartic catchy chorus, or jumpy bassline. This is really music for the sad motherfuckers of the world. Luckily, I have a membership card. Lyrically this might be the strongest song. The chorus says, "Do what your dad, don't say should. Do what good girls, don't do good", just an awesome lyric and in the context of the song it is even better. I don't know why I like music like this, I just do.
I'm intrigued to see how Arts & Crafts American invasion goes from here. If this album doesn't sell well, will it scare them off? I hope not, because I would love to see what other bands would be signed. "Set Free" isn't going to be an album that everyone can sink their teeth into. The target market for a band like this is very isolated. However, like it always is with small target markets. If you can hit them where it counts, they'll love you forever. In other words, if you have a membership card to the sadmotherfuckers of the world then this is the next installment.
Tracks to download: "Born On The Cusp", "Immaculate Hear 1 & 2", "Cool Kids Keep", "Sharp Briar", "Fuck This... I'm Leaving."
Score: 8.4
Suffers a bit from a lack of variation, and a couple tracks are missing a certain something that is hard to put my finger on. Not a bad song in the twelve though, and the replay value is outstanding.
- Dan