Okay, back to the music. Let’s begin with a record I’ve been sitting on for almost a year Liberation by Austin’s AM Syndicate. I put it in the “to review” stack last December, when it was brand new, and have just kept pushing it back. Until now.
First things first, as much as I like the record, there is a reason why it’s taken me this long to talk about it. Namely: it’s a nice album, but it lacks a certain oomph, never really developing its influences in any meaningful way.
It’s most reminiscent of any number of late 60s bands (think Strawberry Alarm Clock): driven by bright tunes with just enough revolutionary zeal (the refrain of “we the people must fight them” in Hang Your Fears At The Door And Join Your Future) to keep things from running off the rails into the la-la land of pop symphony. Or to give it a more modern spin. Imagine Animal Collective, except not weird. Or Arcade Fire, except without the passion. Or The New Pornographers, except without the big hooks.
You see what I mean? There’s a lot of good stuff here, but it’s all the things that are leftover in great bands if you remove their core element.
It makes for a very weird experience, where you know its enjoyable and good listening, but you just keep waiting for them to really wow you without it ever quite being fulfilled.
All The People Under the Sun – AM Syndicate