Sunday, May 17, 2009

REVIEW: Akron/Family - Set Em Wild, Set Em Free

7.5 out of 10

On "Set Em Wild, Set Em Free", Akron/Family's 5th release, the band is minus a member (their lead singer Ryan Vanderhoof), and with a new release comes a new sound. The big question is; Is it for the better that Akron/Family strays away from the "Freak Folk" sound that may have defined them and go towards a more Rock infused Americana-roots album? (the answer is yes!)

The opening track (aka first single from the album), "Everyone Is Guilty" gets you in the Akron mood right away. It has six tempo changes which may seem somewhat over the top, but instead comes off as a super catchy "bobb your head" kind of song. Track 2, "River" is one of the catchiest Akron songs ever. Kind of reminds me of Modest Mouses' "Good News For People.." era. After that the album continues on with it's great mixture of impeccable vocal harmonies, banjo's/various other textured stringed instruments, incredibly technical drumming, harmonicas, flutes/horns, super bouncy bass lines, twinkled sounds, and gorgeous piano melodies. The album's final track, "Last Year" has two lines: "Last year was a hard year, for a very long time/This year is gonna be ours", a three-part harmony with piano. It's somewhat of a gospel song sung by people (whom they hired) that have no idea what gospel music even is, but they "feel it" anyways. This was the band's underlining point with "Set Em Wild, Set Em Free", just sit back and the music will take you there.

This is a bit of a different sound for Akron/Family, but I believe it to be a strong enough that most/if not all Akron fans will agree with. For those of you who haven't checked out Akron/Family listen to "I'll Be On The Water" and tell me you're not curious to hear more. It seems with each release I become more and more obsessed with this band. Their sound is incredibly tight (even minus a member), they're level of music writing is incomparable, and they bring their own sound to what can seem like a redundant genre (Freak Folk/Indie Rock) sometimes. "Set Em Wild, Set Em Free" is that missing Rock record I've been searching for.

Standout Tracks: Everyone Is Guilty, River (incredibly catchy), Set 'Em Free, Gravelly Mountains Of The Moon, MBF (great harsh jam), Sun Will Shine (Warmth Of The Sunship Version)(in love with the last 2 minutes of this song), Last Year

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