Run by former Swan’s head Michael Gira, this label has for me a couple highly anticipated releases coming up… Akron/Family’s Love is Simple and Angels of Light’s We Are Him. Over the last few years there’s been an interesting and engaging cross-pollination between these artists, with the Akron guys acting as backing band for Gira’s current project Angels of Light. Functioning kinda as a mentor/apprentice relationship, the results have thus far been very strong. Both parties seem dually energized and inspired by the other. Followed are a couple quotes from each camp talking about the other’s new record as well as some sample tunes. Oh how I love me a good press release.
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September 18, 2007
my winner for album art of the year…
“For those of you who have seen my simpering, slavishly devotional Akron/Family blurbs and press releases in the past, wherein I make ridiculous claims about them (which I happen to believe!), it should come as no surprise when I reiterate they are one of the best bands on the planet. I don’t recall seeing such fantastic live shows ever, except maybe Pere Ubu at the Whiskey in LA circa 1978 or Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd circa 1968/9. Take those unrelated reference points and mix in The Beatles, Chicago Art Ensemble, CCR, The Grateful Dead, The Hollies, The Butthole Surfers, Led Zeppelin, and you might get a notion–probably not. Anyway, this record comes the closest to bridging the gap between the chaos, rock action, tribal bongo-banging and sentimental sing-alongs of their live shows and the necessarily more cerebral, or at least worked-over and layered process of recording in the studio. So, there are beautiful songs and harmonies on this album, and also wild and weird jams, all in the service of their chosen Deity, or Nothingness, or LOVE, or whatever it is they’re on about.” –Michael Gira/Young God Records
LISTEN: “Phenomena”
Transafixed Frequencies Pick: “Ed Is a Portal”
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August 20, 2007
second place…
“Michael’s shirtless screaming is now finally reborn into something closer to the intensity of Nina Simone than punk rock. The song forms are now clear and strong enough to support vocal performances that sometimes sound like a 25-year-old Michael simultaneously hallucinating and dictating the dark underbelly of the Amercian Dream. And now that this strength and intensity is firmly rooted in tradition it can take on a whole new level of meaning and interplay and understanding that I find simply wonderful. This is not indie rock or Americana, this is authentic American music; or as Gram Parsons said, ‘ Cosmic American Music ‘ ” – Seth Olinsky / Akron/Family
LISTEN: “Black River Song” (opening track)
Transafixed Frequencies Mix: “Sunflower’s Here to Stay” “One For Hope” “Michael’s White Hands”