Search - Autumns :: Autumns

Stellar in parts, passable in others

Kevin White | Keller, Texas | 01/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This new recording from The Autumns is in no way a disappointment, but taken as a whole, it isn't quite the gobsmackingly brilliant follow up to the band's 2000 opus, In the Russet Gold of This Vain Hour, that I was hoping for. That album presented ten perfectly efficient examples of pure melody magic. And the 2004 album contains a number of songs that can only fall into the "gem" category. In fact, the first seven tracks, including the brief and interesting instrumental of track five, make for pretty fantastic listening, if you're predisposed to enjoy this type of music. "Glass in Lullabies" (from The Angel Pool) is still the best single track this band has recorded, but the first half of the new one breathes and soars and sighs in all the right ways and places. These songs feel more mature and less enigmatic than anything on Russet Gold.



Of course, I'd surely enjoy it more if I could find out what words are being sung. About a third of the enjoyment I get from my discs these days comes from singing along in the car, and that's a bit more awkward when you don't know exactly what words to mouth (imagine my joy when I finally found the lyrics to Russet Gold on the Web). Besides that, this poetry deserves to be known better.



After the midway point, the album somewhat loses its focus and innovation. The instrumental in the second half is less interesting and too long. Track twelve simply drags on, and the final track seems forced, like Autumns-lite. It borders on feeling like B-material or even filler after the precocious "Slumberdoll." But of course, the singer's voice is enchanting, the production is flawless, and there are a lot worse things to listen to than a few tracks of Autumns filler.



I think this would have made an incredible eight-track extended EP (or short LP?). It makes it easier for me that I'm less enchanted with the second half (as opposed to certain songs here and there, as on One Chord to Another by Sloan), because I can just listen to one through seven straight through and delve into the others when I want to hear the album as a whole piece. Thinking in terms of the indivisable unit of music of The Album (rather than individual Songs) means I just can't put this one as high on my list as Russet Gold, as every second of that album's music is worth the time spent savoring it, and every track is focused and well-conceived (and with no instrumentals!).



If you at all enjoyed The Angel Pool or Russet Gold, or the quieter and slower songs by Muse, there's no question you should own this album. It is elegant and truly unforgettable in spots, and despite running a little low on steam halfway through, makes for a terrific set of melodies and sounds with which to fill your mind's ear (read: that feeling you get when you're getting to know new music where you find yourself humming the tunes under your breath at work and the atmosphere invades everyday life for a couple of weeks)."

A happy sounding whimsical Radiohead. three and a half stars

Joseph Cruz | Somewhere in the West Coast | 10/12/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been hearing some rave reviews over The Autumns, even recomendations to listeners of artists such as the Cocteau Twins and Jeff Buckley.



What i have to say to this is.. No. Not Quite. Now i am forced to review this album based on the standards of these artists mentioned.



The Autumns to me are a Whimsical Sounding Happy Radiohead, a happy dream radiohead?. I cant say much about their lyrics, because it is difficult to find any of their lyrics online. It was "The End" that was a catalyst to me buying this album, i wish i researched a bit more before doing that.



If you are the kind of listener who does not mind fifty minutes of layed back buckley'esqe vocals, painted on a dreampop canvas without any major shift of atmosphere throughout the album, well i guess you'll love the Autumns.



Radiohead comes to mind whenever i listen to the Autumns album. Somehow i would prefer to listen to Radiohead's OK Computer simply because it is more musically stimulating and compostionally less predictable. Maybe it is my personality but frankly, Radiohead is alot more interesting and diverse to listen to, and they could do what the Autumns does in its dreamy quality and alot more.

Something the Autumns album lacks, whether a good thing or a bad thing, take it as you will, is Diversity. I found myself losing interest towards the end of this album, because of its conviction to a consistently, out there, whimsical atmosphere, and predictable melodies.



( Iron & Wine comes to mind as a great layedback band that does not have to be incredibly diverse and yet still creates quality musicanship, they do a better job, they aren't dream pop tho, but they are dreamy to listen to )



That said, the Autumns are alot better that alot of the crap out there, this album is at most, a four star album to me Not five.



Over this, i recommend or rather, prefer, Radiohead's OK computer or Iron & Wine's Creek drank the cradle"

Sublime you must buy this NOW

Mr. Pr Knox | 03/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sublime!

I haven't managed to catch this band live yet although I do hope to sometime soon, what can I say about this album other than wow!! from the opening track the end this a truly astounding record, if you could say a CD is actually beautiful then this is it, the music soars and shimmers with such beauty its too much to listen to sometimes! the sonic quality and beautiful arrangements of this album lift it incredibly against their peers that they are consistently noted for their influence.

Jeff Buckley fans will love this, Kelly's voice is very similar at times without being plagaristic, the songs are varied some instrumental but all flow so very well through the whole album, it draws the listener along it really is an album you can just listen and listen to, im so pleased to have found this wonderful band, I cant tell you how much you need this record in your life, its simply stunning. It will tug at your heart strings in the same way that Buckley and Early Radiohead did, go buy it just buy it.



Knoxie"