Customer Reviews

The Autumn Defense

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With richer layers, more intriguing arrangements, those lovely vocals and a greater emphasis on diverse, jazzier rhythms, the Autumn Defense capitalize on the strengths of their last CD, Circles, while reaching beyond that collection's catchy, concise songcraft. They have always played like a virtual roll call of influences: The Beatles, The Lovin' Spoonful, Bread, The Left Banke, The Mamas and the Papas, The Beach Boys and others, now adding traces of Steely Dan, Joao Gilberto and Poco. But the reference blend here is subtle, oblique and interspersed with fresh flavors and sophisticated lyrical content, suggesting a more seasoned, adult approach to their meticulous recreation of the slightly melancholy shimmer of late-1960s/early-1970s AM radio. One can easily imagine popping in an Autumn Defense 8-track in the tape deck at top volume on a Sunday afternoon in 1971, throwing open a window and swinging away the hours in a hammock, daydreaming of past loves and watching the clouds rearrange in the sky above. Does it rock out? No. But it moves, and there is something at once both nostalgic and immediate about this music that makes for pleasant, thoughtful company, like a refreshing visit from one of your smartest, sweetest friends from school. I love it.

Here is an amazing Cd you cannot live without. Just saw this band live as well, as amazed that this can also be pulled off live. Their style might be Steelers wheel meets Steely dan meets America meets Seals & crofts meets Nick Drake, but don't take that to not be a compliment. The Cd should be in the top 20, and in another world, it is. Buy this and their CD "Circles" and hear the band of the future!!

More fully produced than prior discs by this Wilco side project, this self-titled third release is built on the duo's core strengths of crafty songwriting, rich harmonizing, and interlaced acoustic guitars. Autumn Defense then adds lightly detailed piano, flute, and strings, so that the set coalesces into an autumnal cadence of fireside confessions. Think America without the sap. The standout track is "Winterlight," which contrasts a bittersweet lyric with soaring vocals riding a double-timed rhythm section pushed by a "Friday-on-My-Mind" bass line. This is too good for radio.

This is a good album. Variation on themes excellent, some very good lead guitar. Lyrics a bit sophomorish here and there (trying too hard to rhyme). Overall, this is a good album.

The Autumn Defense are a brave band, not unlike their compatriots in Wilco, taking chances, but staying within the discipline of what defines this group - a love for another time, another mood. Obviously John and Pat believe that you can be in that place again - in love with a joy about life that balances wonder and trepidation.
The instrumentation fits wonderfully with the song stylings presented here. Canyon Arrow to Simple Explanation takes us on a wonderful ride from Bossa Nova to Acoustic Pop. Its a great ride.

After buying the first two releases.I was very much looking forward to getting this.This doesn't come anywhere close to the others.It could very well be a collection of bad America b sides.

From the opening notes of "Canyon Arrow", The Autumn Defense's latest album transports you back into a time that may not have been more innocent, but a time when AM radio was something that everyone could enjoy. It's clear that John Stirratt and Patrick Sansone (part of the musical muscle that makes Wilco masters of all they survey) have a fondness for the music of 60's acts ranging from the Beatles to the Zombies. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Fab Four inspired "Estate Remains." Then there's "Winterlight" - a gorgeous song that would be at home on any Love album. While lesser talents would fall into the trap of losing their identity in the sounds of such delightful vintage, Stirratt and Sansone know enough to meticulously arrange their songs with the tasteful traces and haunting echoes of the past long before becoming mired in it. If one must be critical, The Autumn Defense could pare itself of a song or two - the rather cloying "City Bells" for one. But overall this a fine album and one that will remain as timeless as those artists who inspired it.

Well, it's kind of difficult to write a negative review on a band that you really like. But putting it simply, this is a complete and utter failure musically as compared with past albums. And yes, the catchy songs with great melodies are completely gone. The Autumn Defense was right on the verge of a musical breakthrough and they totally blew it--so frustrating and disappointing. This album is heavily influenced by jazz inflections in just about every song--especially the piano and guitar work. This direction does not serve The Autumn Defense well at all-- being that there is not one distinct melody to be found anywhere. I was absolutely shocked when I first listened to this cd because it really doesn't sound like the music that came before it in any way. And on the edge of greatness they have thrown themselves into the dark void of the abyss in creating this abomination. Most likely The Autumn Defense will never recover from this gigantic error in musical judgement.

First off do not purchase this album if you think it will have any sort of an Alt-Country influence. I love all types of music and thought I would give this album a try sense it got so many good reviews. Wilco is one of my favorite bands and I figured the base player from such a great band would have carried over some of his musical influences. I found the music to be very blah and the lyrics uninspired. Normally when I purchase a new cd I listen to it untill I can't stand to anymore but with this album I was sick of it within a few listens.