Akron/Family - Akron/family
by Andrew Carver
published: 4 / 6 / 2005
Label:
Young God Records
Format: CD
intro
Intriguing blend of folk music and oddity on first album from New York-based band Akron/Family, which should attracts fans of Grandaddy, Flaing Lips and Animal Collective alike
The New York-based band Akron/Family whips up an interesting blend of folk music, weirdness and aural freakishness on its self-titled debut. Opener 'Before and Again' sets the trend with an overall pastoral sound where computerized bleeps collide with an acoustic guitar and what sounds like rain dripping in a pan. Not surprising, when various members of the band are credited with “bric-a-brac”, “fruity computer twiddling” and “orchestral computer sentiments” – a.k.a. cellos in a can – in addition to the more traditional guitars, piano and melodica. The band’s strength lies in its genial contemplation of the final drawn-out day of a foreign vacation, the physical sensation of love and the longing caused by its unrequited form in songs like 'Italy'”, 'I’ll Be on the Water' (water and love are recurring themes in A/F songs) and 'Afford'. Do the band’s songs need the oceanic breaths, creaking telegraphs or violent rushes of digital scree that dot tracks like 'Part of Corey' or 'Suchness'? Probably not, but with its peculiar flourishes the band can at least hope to attract fans of groups like Grandaddy, Flaming Lips and fellow New Yorkers Animal Collective or Italian psychedelic band Jennifer Gentle to their interesting debut, while its solid musical core should grab folks fans.
Track Listing:-
1 Before And Again2 Suchness
3 Part Of Corey
4 Italy
5 I'll Be On The Water
6 Running, Returning
7 Afford
8 Interlude: Ak Ak Was The Boat They Sailed In On
9 Sorrow Boy
10 Shoes
11 Lumen
12 How Do I Know
13 Franny/You're Human
14 (untitled)
Label Links:-
http://younggodrecords.com/https://www.youtube.com/user/YoungGodTube
interviews |
Interview (2011) |
Jamie Rowland speaks to Seth Olinsky from psychedelic folk act Akron/Family, about his group’s Japanese-influenced seventh album, ‘S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT’, and the video films that have been created to accompany each of the tracks on the new album. |
Interview (2009) |
Interview (2007) |
Interview (2006) |
live reviews |
ICA, London, 20/5/2009 |
Despite having recently lost founder member Ryan Vanderhoof and now being reduced to a three piece, Sarah Johnson at the London ICA finds New York experimental folk act Akron/Family having lost none of their spontaneity, but also having an increased tightness |
Barrymore's, Ottawa, 26/9/2008 |
reviews |
S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT (2011) |
Superb sample and loop-influenced fifth album from New York-based psychedelic folk act, Akron/Family |
Love is Simple (2007) |
Meek Warrior (2006) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart