Concert Review: Akron/Family with Delicate Steve

March 28, 2011
Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City

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Delicate Steve

There wasn't a huge crowd at Urban Lounge to see Akron/Family perform, and before the headliners an even smaller crowd was treated to the intricate arrangements of (mostly) instrumental band Delicate Steve, an experimentally-minded but fun-loving rock group. The band bears the name of lead guitarist Steve Marion, but the set was much more than just a showcase for his excellent guitar playing. Each of the five members contributed to successfully recreate the group’s cheerfully varied rock style, with songs ranging from triumphant pop anthems to breezy, melodic jams.

The group opened modestly with a mix of tribal percussion and subtle guitar interplay, but soon broke out into some more anthemic material that encouraged a small yet enthusiastic dance session near the stage. At times Steve would show off with some flashy guitar work and at others he would fade into the mix to help the band create more restrained sonic textures. Each piece was interesting, but the audience was most appreciative of the more up-tempo numbers, especially the penultimate tune, a fiery alt-blues stomp that features some seriously impressive shredding.

For the last song, Steve took his guitar down to the small dance party on the floor while the band pounded away on stage, never missing a beat and offering a solid finale to a strong opening performance. Delicate Steve may be a young band, but the quintet played with the precision and intelligence of seasoned pros. Definitely a band worth experiencing live if you have the chance.

Akron/Family

Right from the beginning of their set, it was clear that Akron/Family was going to take their time that evening. They spent some time chatting with the crowd, extolling the virtues of an all-week weekend (this was a Monday show) before launching into a quiet, nature-sounds-infused introduction that must have lasted for five minutes as the band waited patiently for the crowd to quiet. As the noise of the audience died down, the band launched into a delicate blending of voices that demanded everyone’s attention, but the crowd really got going with beginning of the next song, “River,” which involved a great deal of audience participation in the form of clapping and chanting along.

In fact, the band members nearly demanded such participation throughout the evening. At one point guitarist Seth Olinsky lead the crowd in a group meditation session, for another song everyone was encouraged to sing along for what seemed like a ten-minute chorus. And when they weren’t interacting with the audience, the trio were feverishly playing on stage with energetic riffs, spectacular harmonies and deafening blasts of noise. Bassist Miles Seaton even managed to play the bass with his mouth for while.

But it wasn’t all just gimmicks and insanity, Akron/Family is a talented bunch that provided some great moments that night. “Everyone is Guilty” and “Another Sky” were especially electrifying, showing the band’s ability to write and perform deliriously fun pop hooks. The problem was, by 1 a.m. the band had pretty well worn out the audience, trying our patience with a few too many extended jam sessions and head-exploding bursts of noise. Even the encore was a bit of a chore in its length, but the final moments of the show were beautiful, an a capella sing-a-long that faded softly and smoothly, ending a sometimes thrilling, sometimes trying performance on the perfect note. I think it’s safe to say Akron/Family puts on a truly unique show, but be warned, it certainly requires some stamina.

Best of 2009: Honorable Mentions

I've listened to more music this year than any other by far, so making a top 50 list was an especially difficult and time-consuming process, though it was certainly rewarding as well. But before I change it again, I think it's time to start presenting my favorite records of 2009. The following are 11 albums that I feel deserve mention this year but fell just outside my top 50, some getting bumped quite late in the process. I just couldn't let them go without a mention on the blog, so, in alphabetical order, here we go:

Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free

Down one of their four original members, Akron/Family still managed to create one of their best records this year with Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free. Shifting between melodic folk tunes and explosive bursts of weirdness, the band both continued their evolution into new territory and made us remember why we loved them in the first place. Despite it being somewhat uneven, this record from one of the freak-folk genre's mainstays has been one I've returned to frequently. (MySpace)

Apse - Climb Up

In only a few years, Apse has undergone a serious transformation, and Climb Up is hard evidence that said transition has been in a decidedly upward direction. The record is a more cohesive and structured effort than their last, a set of psychedelically-inclined indie tunes filled with spacey guitar riffs, haunting high vocals, and dark lyrics that fit the musical setting perfectly. Climb Up may take a few spins to fully reveal itself, but the time spent is richly rewarded in the end. (MySpace)

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

I know I'm in the minority here, but Arctic Monkeys' latest, Humbug, is my favorite album from the English group previously known primarily for their sharp wit and danceable post-punk rock. With their latest effort, the quartet's drum/guitar/bass attack is made heavier and denser than before, with a tempo well-below the band's usual. Though this would seem to play against some of the band's strengths, the results - whether heavy rock tune or stirring ballad - are frequently amazing. (MySpace)

The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

I was first introduced to The Avett Brothers with their 2007 release, Emotionalism, a rough, endearing folk-rock album that quickly made me a fan of brothers Scott and Seth and company. I and Love and You didn't hit me in quite the same way as its predecessor, but its sincere and mostly introspective lyricism and engaging melodies make for a worthy addition to their catalog - one that should do wonders to increase the general awareness of a band that deserves more attention than they've been given. (MySpace)

Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones

Ryan Gosling (yes, THAT Ryan Gosling) and friend Zach Shields created perhaps the most adventurous and interesting album ever to feature a popular movie star (the competition, admittedly is slight), but Dead Man's Bones is more than just a novelty. The record is appropriately titled for its dark, haunted musical and lyrical themes, with Gosling and Shields covering most all the instrumentation (Gosling even taught himself cello for one track) and sharing vocal duties with a children's choir. Weird, beautiful, and very impressive. (MySpace)

Florence + The Machine - Lungs

English newcomer Florence Welch and her revolving cast of supporters created more than a little noise overseas, though their debut album, Lungs, didn't have much of an impact here. Known for its obnoxious first single, "Kiss With a Fist," the record actually has a great deal more to offer - soaring epics, intimate ballads, and an inventive outlook that makes the entire album a continuous adventure. It's a little Bat for Lashes, a little Lily Allen, but mostly its a fantastic introduction to an exciting new talent. (MySpace)

Ganglians - Monster Head Room

Monster Head Room's noisy psychedelic nature wasn't immediately attractive to me, but Ganglians' debut won me over with its playful and exploratory nature that resulted in songs that are well-crafted and enjoyably strange but rarely heavy-handed or dramatic. The album ranges from meandering, outlandish rock tunes to eerie folk songs with a little of everything in between, yet somehow Ganglians manage to pull it all together in one cohesive and captivating whole. (MySpace)

Lissie - Why You Runnin' (EP)

Midwestern songstress Lissie made a great first impression with her debut EP, Why You Runnin', sounding like a cross between late-period Joan Baez and Stevie Nicks with her strong, emotional voice and rough folk style. I always have a difficult time holding EPs in as high esteem as LPs when it comes to the year's best kind of lists, but this 20 minutes record is absolutely stellar. Look out for Lissie in the near future, I imagine we'll be hearing much more about and from her.(MySpace)

Everywhere I Go (MP3)

Pomegranates - Everybody, Come Outside!

This is one album I think has been woefully underrated this year. Pomegranates' latest, Everybody, Come Outside! is a joyously upbeat pop record with an experimental streak that sets them apart from their peers. With twisty guitar riffs, insistent percussion, and big choruses, the music Pomegranates create is comprised of many familiar elements but constructed in a way that is often unexpected and truly unique. People have been sleeping on this one for months, but it deserves better. (MySpace)

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns

Another criminally overlooked band this year is The Rural Alberta Advantage, who released a very strong debut (falling just outside my top debuts of 2009 list) of Americana-intensive pop music that received only moderate attention from the critical community. The Canadian indie-rockers' earnest instrumental presentation and sincere, personal lyrics give this record a certain appeal so often missing from bands attempting a similar musical approach - making this one to hear from 2009. (MySpace)

Don't Haunt This Place (MP3)

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - Know Better Learn Faster

Thao and her two-man crew, The Get Down Stay Down, made serious progress on their latest LP, Know Better Learn Faster. The familiar elements, including Thao's signature vox and impressive guitar work, are enhanced by a more adventurous stylistic approach and songs that simply hold up better both in the context of the album and alone. It may be a break-up album, but Thao has created one of the most fun rock records of the year with Know Better Learn Faster. (MySpace)

Alright, look for more of this year's greatest soon!

Review: Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free (* * * *)

Down a member to three since their latest outing, Akron/Family is back with their fourth full-length, Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free, their first on the Dead Oceans label. Anybody worried that the loss of lead singer Ryan Vanderhoof would derail their beloved freak-rockers can rest easy, Akron/Family is just as weird and wonderful as ever and the new record is remarkably strong, especially considering the circumstances. Just goes to show what a little focus and tenacity can accomplish when you're faced with a potentially show-stopping change. The band have crafted an eleven-song set that is all over the stylistic map, but remains thoroughly enjoyable and somehow cohesive throughout.

Kicking things off is the gloriously bizarre "Everyone Is Guilty," with explosive, group-shouted choruses and fiery guitar riffs in a barely structured, six-minute rocker. Following is the equally great, and more subdued "River," which has been floating around the 'net for a while now. Here, the band settle down, focusing on gripping melody and harmony over muted guitar and gentle percussion, which style appears later in the even more sparse combo of "The Alps & Their Orange Evergreen" and "Set 'Em Free." The opening tracks are, honestly, about as good as Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free gets, but as they are quite exceptional, and the band keeps things thoroughly entertaining throughout, there's no reason to be concerned.

Those looking for the familiar bombast and weirdness should check out the horn-heavy "Gravelly Mountains of the Moon" and the noisy, claustrophobic "MBF," but there's also a great deal of the more subtle and serene production mentioned earlier, like the closing combo of the psychedelic folk tune "Sun Will Shine" and the gospel-esque "Last Year." The sequencing of the album can take some getting used to, as the band goes from complete freak-out to tender ballad and back again within four tracks, but Akron/Family known the way to keep things interesting and surprising, just as we've come to expect and enjoy.

Inspired and inspiring, Set 'Em Wild, Set ' Em Free is truly a better record than it has any right to be, and a promising release from a band that is still moving forward. Whatever they do next, I think we can continue to expect the unexpected, and that's a comforting thought.