Akron/Family - S/T II: The Cosmic Birth & Journey of Shinju TNT (Album Review)

AKRON/FAMILY * AKRON/FAMILY II: THE COSMIC BIRTH & JOURNEY OF SHINJU TNT

(Dead Oceans)

Everyone likes a good back story, and the one Akron/Family concocted for their latest LP is nothing short of head-scratching. Written next to an active Japanese volcano and recorded in an abandoned train station in Detroit (your call on which is more dangerous), the albums fumes with the unpredictability of lava and vigor of Joe Louis....and the mindset of a working Peter Sellers.

The album begins with the spastic "Silly Bears," starting as a tribal chant giving way to what can best be described as screeching patriotic guitar, into vocals that a 6 year old could write, but not execute nearly as well. "Island" follows as a hypothetical 180; it's a buttery little tune that you and your closest friends would listen to as the last piece of kindling smolders in an early Spring bonfire. The curiously named "A AAA O WAY" isn't all that necessary, though. It serves as a transition track, but way to early in an album that is just coming into its own.

"So It Goes" and "Another Sky" are raucous standout moments which you know will obliterate your ears when they're played live. "Say What You Want" encompasses the best parts of the album into a radio-friendly 3:28. Soothing, introspective vocals fade as you're hit in the face with blistering guitar work that speeds into some fist-pumping back-and-forth chants. If there were ever time for more gang vocals, it would be here. Akron/Family give us an ideal wind-down to an album that entices throughout."Canopy" evokes Flaming Lips at their height, Japanese influence and all, while "Creator" plays like your head hitting a brand new feather pillow in super slow motion.

This album is all over the place, but complete in its intent and delivery. Cocky at times? Sure. Subtle at others? Of course. It stands apart because of its ability to be progressive without feeling like you're listening to the band trying to evolve. They're already miles ahead of where we could imagine.

Grade: A