The American Analog Set
Few bands have been able to consistenly output music as listenable as the neo-psychedelic minimalism of The American Analog Set. Sure, you can grab some bullshit Best of Ibiza Chillout '05 type compilation to cast that needed late night lull, but The American Analog Set (commonly referred to as AmAnSet) bring the real deal -- a smart blend of subtle loops, soft vocals and gentle melody that has surprisingly endured far longer than the work done by their similarly-toned contemporaries. They truly hold the highest batting average of all the bands I pitch to uninitiated friends; they are just that difficult to dislike. Frontman Andrew Kenney has been all over the place as of late, recording with Morr Music's Styrofoam among others and for a while it was unclear if AmAnSet had broken up. But alas, they return with Set Free due for a fitting release this September. My initial listen of the new record left me less than immediately excited although I was comforted by a couple of tracks that signaled a return to the earlier form of older releases like The Fun of Watching Fireworks, From Our Living Room to Yours, and The Golden Band. I think AmAnSet are at their best when they keep things minimal (which they do on the new record) but use more percussive techniques (vibraphone, voice, brushed snares) to communicate their impeccable melodic sensibility. Instead, Set Free takes a step backward toward a thickened guitar sound, one which clearly defines their obvious influences but unfortunately obfuscates their own contributions to the evolution of memorable, mollifying indie rock. They are too significant, too established a band to hide behind walls of noise, even if that noise is no louder than the din of insects communicating on a quiet country night. Resources
The American Analog Set :: "Immaculate Heart II"
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