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For nigh on a decade, The American Analog Set has been
making music that defies some easy categorization while slipping
nicely into so many different sounds. The musical constant is
always the laid back groove of the music… the distinctive
vibe that Andrew Kenny infuses into the music of AAS. Set
Free is a brilliant exploration of sound that would sonically
fit nicely next to Iron And Wine and the older records
of Josh Rouse. "Cool Kids Keep" definitely digs
into that Rouse feeling, with its simple bass line that throbs
over the light drum track; the major difference being the gritty
synthesizer playing the part of Rouse's guitar. And on tracks
like "She's Half", Kenny makes a decisive turn and lays
back into an acoustic folk-sound that is more reminiscent of
The Choir's finest moments. The track and a few others ("Fuck
This, I'm Leaving" and the incredible "Play Hurt")
are brilliantly produced into a light, airy feel that floats above
most of the other music on Set Free. Hedging into a more
Cure-like sound, AAS fires off "The Green Green Grass",
which recalls the glory days of the early post-punk movement,
albeit in a much more subdued fashion. Literate guitar lines and
sliding bass tracks are eerily familiar even though they are accompanied
by drumming that is lighter than any from that era.
Mood music. Set Free is a fine example of modern mood
music. This is music for a dreary day, sitting by the window,
looking out, wishing one was at the beach or some other fine activity.
But amidst the soft feel of the tracks, there is never a dull
moment or lull in the action… it's just lite action, rather
than full on, in-yer-face kung fu. I dig it. And you will, too.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Born On The Cusp
2. Immaculate Heart 1
3. Immaculate Heart 2
4. Cool Kids Keep
5. She's Half
6. Jr
7. Play Hurt
8. (Theme From) Everything Ends
9. Sharp Briar
10. The Green Green Grass
11. First Of Four
12. Fuck This… I'm Leaving
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