AU - Both Lights - Printable Version +- Music Discussion (https://www.music-discussion.com) +-- Forum: Music Discussion (https://www.music-discussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Alternative (https://www.music-discussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +--- Thread: AU - Both Lights (/showthread.php?tid=6848)

AU - Both Lights - Music Head - 03-04-2012 online listen not a good way to start the new album week don't know what you call it, but it sucked not a thing there that I didn't cringe the clip - and they say that's the single 1.0 from me and a converted 2.1 from the pros at allmusic from the album - Get Alive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn87Lrr5ShM released Apr 3rd, 2012 Bio - from allmusic Drawing as many comparisons to Terry Riley and Philip Glass as they do to Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective, Portland, OR's Au are the brainchild of singer/songwriter Luke Wyland, who began the group in 2005 while studying at the Massachusetts College of Art. After relocating, he connected with a rotating cast of Portland instrumentalists, including drummers Mark Kaylor and Dana Vlatka and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Sielaff. The group's 2007 self-titled album -- which wove together bluegrass, contemporary classical, and indie rock influences -- was a favorite with local and online publications, with the Portland Mercury naming it the year's number two Portland album and Stereogum and Pitchfork giving it positive reviews. The group's second album, Verbs, arrived in summer 2008. Album Review - from allmusic Au's third album finds the duo of Luke Wyland and Dana Valatka continuing in their general vein of studio experimentation and rock-as-container-of-possibilities rather than end-all and be-all, though Both Lights isn't always completely on the money. Starting off an album with a instrumental called "Epic" could certainly be a sort of statement of purpose -- even if the song in question isn't a cover of Faith No More's break-out hit. Yet there's a big trebly noise out of the guitars and agreeably pounding drums as well, not to mention some swelling orchestral arrangements toward the end, so call it a more straightforward version on the idea. It makes the piano-led, moody majesty of "M. Sea" another high point, again exchanging singing for sheer sonics and reveling in the sense of something big but warm and inviting about to happen. Yet this contrasts with the following "Solid Gold," also piano-led initially but with vocals that seem to undercut everything rather than build it up, no matter how energetic things get in the arrangement. Similarly, vocals on songs like "Get Alive" mean that amid all the nervous activity, they end up making the link to sounding much more pedestrian, like one too many Arcade Fire wannabes out there. Yet moments like the beamed-in stutter-funk keyboard line on "OJ" add a bit of sass to the slow build of the arrangements, while "Go Slow"'s re-creation of some of Butterfly Child's most free and open moments, with drums exchanged for slow swooning textures and reach, are a lovely highlight. Track Listing 1. Epic 2. Get Alive 3. Crazy Idol 4. OJ 5. M.Sea 6. Solid Gold 7. Today / Tonight 8. Why I Must 9. Go Slow 10. Old Friend 11. Don't Lie Down AU - Both Lights - CRAZY-HORSE - 04-04-2012 doncha just hate those really aweful albums!!! im trying to listen to one now that i bought on the strength of a very good leadoff single by Lloyd...so far one track gets *** the next seven have all got *, i had to turn it off and i'll have to revisit it later today as i cant stand what im hearing, the same old same old R&B/Rap crap!