Customer Reviews

Magnolia

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's good to see an Andrew Kenny release because I'm a fan of AmAnSet. I read a quick review, after putting this on pre-order. I didn't listen to any of the songs on-line. I wanted to let my system do the talking. After four or five continued listens, it was clear that each song was based on the same beat or rhythm. If this is Kenny's new style, it gets old after awhile; especially if you can't get the tight rhythm section from AnAnSet out of your mind. I listened without bias, and it was clear this was a living room recording, a bare bones sound structure with some heavy lyrics. It's good to her Andrew Kenny's vocals again and now with the lack of electronic effects, Magnolia is a perfect precursor to the new season here on the Northern side of the equator. It's a hushed recording, one I was afraid to turn up too loud, else I would crash the mood of the Wooden Birds. Magnolia is a great counterpoint to Kenny's previous work and sizes up more towards his effort with Death Cab's Ben Gibbard "Home" recording. I read an article from 1999 where one of the AmAnSet's members remarked about how good "Ken's" demos were, that he felt the band spoiled what Ken had put down by himself. I think Magnolia might just be that, the music that Andrew Kenny writes without the impact of a plugged-in unit or time spent in the studio as a known perfectionist. He seems to have got it just right for this release.

Just to tell you straight up, the American Analog Set is an incredible band, so much so that I've purchased each one of their albums and have enjoyed them immensely. One of the key components of the AmAnSet is Andrew Kenny's unique and soft vocals that accompany the elegant droning of their music almost too well. Ever since their last album, "Set Free", it seems the band's been on some form of a hiatus and Kenny decided to found a new side project. Which brings us here- The Wooden Birds! How do you describe the sound? Some kind of folksy, raw kind of recording with a similar, reoccurring beat throughout each song. Some would say (and have said on here) that this makes the songs all sound the same and not memorable. Whoa there, pal! Not so! The songs don't even remotely sound the same so much as that they are indistinguishable. In fact, having a similar component (I said SIMILAR) hardly makes them replicas at all. All these songs blend together perfectly, with wonderful highlights around every corner- just as an album should be. I get excited as each song transitions into the next catchy tune! This stuff echoes in my head and I often find myself coming back to it to relive the experience over and over. The fist half of the record showcases a great indie pop mentality with thought-provoking lyrics! Starting at "Quit You Once" is where the album really gets interesting, with a series of three songs that build off of each other and up to "Anna Paula". Kind of reminds me of the AmAnSet's tendency to makes their songs into parts such as "The New Drifters" on "The Golden Band" (which I highly recommend). The last three songs are some of the best on the album, finally fading out with the sensational "Bad", with the beautiful lyrics "We could've tethered our loves together in a makeshift raft". A great, cohesive, and lovely album that I love to play on long bike rides or walks. And I didn't mention Kenny's incredible vocals now paired with a female counterpart. Their duets make up some impressive material! Overall, I find this side project enchanting. I can't wait for their new album "Two Matchsticks" coming out this year! From what I've heard, The Birds are going to utilize many new instruments, even the vibraphone we all know and love from The AmAnSet! Until that band decides to put out a new seminal album, The Wooden Birds fulfill me just fine.

Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set is one of the most underrated musicians of our time. This is a more intimate portrayal of the music he's been making for 15 years now. I will always check out what this guy has to offer.

I've been counting down the days to the release date for this album like it was Christmas morning. The wait was worth it, Kenny's new outfit offers mix of familiar AAS smooth sound with a rootsier Iron & Wine-ish vibe. Download without delay!

Whatever the former creds of Andrew Kenny, this home-recorded(?) disc is just self-indulgent noodling. Virtually every song has the same plodding tempo, the same fey vocals, the same badly-recorded strummed acoustic, the same lack of hooks EVERYWHERE. The only redeeming quality was the tasteful, lightly vibrato'd lead guitar lines, but they're not enough to rescue this CD from the "why bother?" bin. Nothing on this disc made a statement. Nothing on this disc gave me a reason why I should listen at all. Wooden birds, indeed.

product arrived as exactly stated condition. CD plays wonderful. Will use this vendor again. Thanks.