Saturday, October 24, 2009

REVIEW: Atlas Sound - Logos / Atlas Sound - Rough Trade EP

8.5 out of 10

"Logos" is Bradford Fox's second full length under the moniker Atlas Sound and just like "Let The Blind Lead.." it ebbs and flows between gentle and dreamy to passionate and apathetic. His first album was introverted, this one more extraverted, and although his voice feels more outspoken (slightly), he remains affable in his approach. It's no surprise, I knew I was going be impressed with this release, I just didn't know how much. I've been listening to this release religiously for the past couple months now and I've wanted to review it for a while. I just couldn't think of the right/most epic sounding words to express my sincere happiness with it (I still can't).

First off let's discuss how "Logos" is slightly different from "Let The Blind Lead..". He doesn't stray too far away from his semi "Lo-Fi" recording approach. He does however step up the over all sound of each instrument involved. He continues to create delicate and abstract guitar effects as he always has, but rather than blasting the reverb he lets stronger bass lines take the lead. He manages to still sound "alone" when he pours his soul out, however with songs like "Walk About" w/Noah Lennox of Animal Collective and "Quick Canal" (which was originally a 15 minute long song (I'd love to hear that version too)) w/Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab he fuses strong relationships through the music. His lyrics seem to have shifted more towards his love for friends and family and, in general, with this release you witness a much happier/lighter side of Mr. Cox. Now, onto the bonus EP, that you can only acquire from here. The "Rough Trade EP" is without a doubt one of the best EP's Mr. Cox has put together (yes, there's A LOT of them). If you are going to purchase this album buy it from Rough Trade, the EP is soo worth it (you pay the same price as you would anywhere else for it). The songs on the EP sound a little more stripped down and raw, but the atmospheres of each track seem stronger than most of the tracks on "Logos" (listen to "Nightwork" you'll hear what I mean by "stronger" atmospheres). The whole package deal (both albums) is laid back, breezy, upbeat/peppy, intimate, fun, and a little indulgent. Some tracks are Dream Pop, some are Abstract Bedroom Folk Pop, some are even 50's Doo-wop influenced. It's all very pleasing to the ears, VERY pleasing.

Yup ..it's an 09 standout.. Go buy this album and headphone it now. I consider Bradford Cox to be the Thurston Moore of this (newer) generations Indie scene. He will no doubt become a household name if he continues along the path he has chosen. With Atlas Sound, Deerhunter, Lotus Plaza, etc. I have one issue, and that is, once the "ear staining" music ends it's hard to remain patient for the next new piece to come along, which is honestly quite often. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Standout Tracks (for Logos): An Orchid, Walkabout, Attic Lights (one of the best tracks of 09, the strings get me every time), Quick Canal (my second favorite track), Washington School

Standout Tracks (Rough Trade EP): Ruben, Kid Klimax (the harmonica reminds me of a Hope Sandoval track), Reminder, Nightwork (such a good track, reminds me of the "Weekend EP" he did)

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