The American Analog Set - Set Free

So it begins! The first review of Encyclopedia Eclectica starts now!

I definitely had beginner's luck for the first entry. This album and this group are right up my alley. They have a well-developed, chilled-out sound. If you can blend together in your brain the slight rawness of My Bloody Valentine, the vocal stylings of Small Sins, and the post-rock smoothness of The Sea and Cake, then you have a pretty good impression of the type of music this band produces. It's the kind of thing that you put on, lay down and just let it wash over you. Thinking music, working music. It works just as effectively whether listened to actively or as background. It's also worth noting that this is one of those albums that functions best when listened to as a whole entity, though the individual tracks each have their own merits. The songs are patient, and take their time letting the mellow rhythm guitar, bass, and drums build up a nice bed for the vocals and occasional lead guitar solo-work to lay on top of. The rhythm guitar always has a subtly raw hum, which mixes nicely with the warm rumbling bass and the echoey lead guitar. In this way the songs roll like waves, swelling and pushing forward. It's a cool experience to listen to.

The worst thing I can say about this album is probably that The American Analog Set is not the most energetic group. You aren't going to get very pumped up listening to this band, and if you listen to them tired you may just lull yourself to sleep (I stress that this isn't to say that they're boring, just soft and calming). The most vigorous song on the album is probably First of Four, with it's chugging tempo. Interestingly, this song reminds me the most of The Sea and Cake (particularly their older stuff).

Well, I feel like there really isn't much more to say about this album. It's certainly made a fan out of me, so expect to eventually see another album or two from this group.


Sounds Like: The Sea and Cake, My Bloody Valentine, Small Sins


-Track Listing-
1. Born On the Cusp
2. Immaculate Heart 1
3. Immaculate Heart 2
4. Cool Kids Keep
5. She's Half
6. JR
7. Play Hurt
8. (Theme From) Everything Ends
9. Sharp Briar
10. The Green Green Grass
11. First of Four
12. Fuck This... I'm Leaving

Notable tracks:

Best- Born On the Cusp, Immaculate Heart 1 and 2, She's Half, (Theme From) Everything Ends, First of Four

Worst- Play Hurt*

*This song really isn't bad at all, I just think it's the weakest on the album. Comparitively, I find the guitar riff to get old noticeably faster than on other tracks. Still, it's good for driving or background.


Links:

The whole album on Youtube. For your listening pleasure.