Customer Reviews

Set Free

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Austin-based drone-pop group American Analog Set are probably the most consistent band in pop music. Over the course of the last decade or so, they have released 6 LP's of really quite similar music. While some may dismiss this as a lack of versatility, I believe it is really quite remarkable, and a testimony to the talent of this band. Constantly re-inventing oneself (Radiohead) takes guts, talent, and fortitude, yes. But the opposite side of the coin is just as difficult. To continue making records so similar, yet unique, must be a phenomenally difficult thing. Granted, this isn't exactly the most challenging music in the world to create. But to have so many tracks released, and still sounding somewhat fresh, I must applaud their effort.

Set Free, if it must be said based on the above paragraph, is classic AmAnSet. This band is some of the best laid-back party music I've ever heard. Its also fantastic for early morning drives to work when everything seems to be moving too fast. AmAnSet has the unique ability to somewhat slow down time. I find it quite difficult to be up-tight or panicked about anything with AAS playing in the background. Life just moves to a slower beat, and one to which I like walking. The production is solid, if unassuming, and the instrumentals play their parts well to a tee, which one could expect after a decade of making this music. Tracks to surely check out are "Cool Kids Keep" and "She's Half."

When I think of American Analog Set, the word 'scintillating' comes to my head, as well as breezy, comforting visions of softly shimmering waves in a fall sunset (because of course, a summer sunset here is a bit too warm). It was this same feeling I got when I walked into a local coffee shop and heard a familiar, driving beat I couldn't help but nod my head to (this was before ordering the caffiene, mind you) The barista told me it was American Analog Set, and I believe they were doing a brilliant cover of Neu's "Negativland" with vibes and all! I had to go and high tailed it to my local record shop. I went and searched through the catalog, but alas, I could not find it anywhere listed. I instead found this record.
I figure they are usually a pretty good bet...I was most pleased with Know By Heart and have a few singles. Off from the start, "Set Free" starts things off with the instantly catchy "Always Wins" and then very strangely segues into the Immaculate Heart pieces. It's difficult to leave the first three tracks, I find myself replaying them (which I suppose is a bit unfair to "Cool Kids Keep"). Anyway...it's quite an outstanding album that to me has so much weight and nuance and yet still manages to sound like it's got the most natural flow.
Maybe I'm just gushing, guilty, but I tell you, it's the album's fault. Do these gentlemen a favor and at least check out the free sample mp3 on their website.

Simple&amazing. One of my favorite albums to kick back and take it easy to. Favorite songs are "Cool Kids Keep" "The Green Green Grass" "First of the four" "Frickk this, i'm leaving..." The whole thing is soooo good! Buy This album!

How could anyone give this a less than stellar score? The AmAnSet's most recent album definitely doesn't disappoint me in the least. It has all the layers of their other "new" sounding records and a continuation of the theme of relationships, which is told in many different outcomes and perspectives. I genuinely love this album! The depth you can find in it just astounds me. The AmAnSet's kind of like Pinback- they never make a single song that you don't come to love eventually. Kicking off the record is "Born On The Cusp", a relaxing, poppy song that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Not all relationships go the way we'd want them to, and sometimes you just never look back. Or maybe the "she" can't choose between two guys, like in "The Green Green Grass". Perhaps you'll meet a half-Asian girl from Japan in "She's Half". And there are so many other incredible songs with their little stories. Musically, this band is also tremendously talented. The hum and drone atmosphere they create is just captivating. Especially if you like it nice and slow! I highly recommend this album- or any by the band! I also can't wait for a new one! They may have stopped touring, but maybe they'll continue cranking out masterpieces. 5 stars for lo-fi, creativity, and pure awesome.

This is the 3rd album by AmAnSet I've bought, and I have to say, it's my favorite. This album has their most diverse collection of songs - some slow drones (JR), some acoustic (She's Half), and some straight up rockers (Green Green Grass). Their releases before this usually consist of slow tempo drones song after song - good for a quiet drive or relaxing, but I put on Set Free to sing along and rock out (a very subdued rock out). No song is too long or too short. She's Half takes my breath away every time. If you still aren't convinced, go to AmAnSet's website and you can download the demos for the whole album, which is what sold me.

I love it so much - I bought it on vinyl too!

I continue to listen to almost all of these tracks months after buying the CD. That rare for me. There's always something of melodic interest, I like the mildly wry lyrics, and the studio recording is perfectly mixed. There's a studied quality to their music that might turn some folks off, but anyone who likes the mid-tempo tracks of Stereolab, for example, will likely enjoy this CD.

Its a shame that the band seems to have broken up, but this is a great final CD for them if indeed this is the last we'll hear from them.

Amanset (American Analog Set) is a hidden gem of a band. This is a good CD to start with if you are interested in them. Know By Heart and From Our Living Room to Yours are the others I'd start with. I'm pretty baffled by the low-end grades this disc received. I really like it. It works as background, but it more than holds up to active listening. These guys are different and fun. Mellow and chill, but with some edge.

"Mellow, quietly gleaming songs" sounds good. That's what AMG says about these guys. Kinda like Luna with a bit more Southern twang. Kinda like a cool breeze... okay, kidding. Good musicians. Good songs. "Immaculate Heart 2" and "Born on the Cusp" will make you happy. "Promise of Love" also good album, especially the propulsive "Hard to Find."

I wasn't completely familiar with the "drone pop" genre until about a year ago, when I got into Broken Social Scene (and from there, older bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Portishead, Low, etc.). American Analog Set's album "Set Free" has those elements of background electronic grooves alongside acoustic instruments, and generally sounds more organic than the heavily distorted guitars of other drone pop bands. The vocalists sing at a whisper, similar to The Kings of Convenience or Sufjan Stevens. If you like any of these artists I mention, check out American Analog Set.

amanset has been one of the more dependable indie outfits over the past decade, achieving maximum results from their strictly minimal approach to composition and production. but as much as i wanted to like this album, and ive given it repeated listenings over the past six months, it just doesnt do it for me. sure, it sounds pleasant enough playing low in the background, but as soon as i start paying attention the flaws become overbearing.

previous efforts had more variance in song structure, with interesting drumwork and hypnotic basslines that provided the energy needed to not just carry the melody along, but sink it deep into your consciousness. once you get beneath the very shallow surface layer of keys and guitar, which doesnt take long, this new collection leaves much to be desired in the creativity dept.. maintaining the same tempo over most of the album, strumming what sounds like the same few notes and chords in a slightly different order, accompanied by rather unengaging drums that serve a merely metronomic purpose. rather than feeling energized, im drained. the few promising moments, such as the immaculate heart suite, have that initial hook but then never really take off and go anywhere, in contrast with tracks (and sequences of tracks) on earlier releases which often build to an unforgettable climax. on promise of love, for example, you can actually feel the desperate anticipation of waiting for julie to come home.. the only anxious longing i felt here was for each song to be over. the absolute worst tracks are cool kids keep and shes half which suffer from an annoying repetition of the title throughout the entire song.

if youre new to amanset, id recommend the golden band first, then know by heart.. the same elements represented poorly here are performed to astonishing perfection on those two albums.