The Autumn Defense – Here and Nowhere
Not exactly Americana in tradition but the smoothly produced, pristinely recorded instruments & atmospheric vocals shape a pleasant listen especially on the opener “The Ones.” At times sharp playing is dipped between wisps of ethereal music & tingly acoustics. Even approaching the progressive ornamentation of late career Pink Floyd. The vocalizing of the Chicago band The Autumn Defense has the formality of well-arranged folk groups. The addition of the edgier guitars is what sets this band apart. It’s a clever conglomeration…though not entirely original sound.
With titles like “I’ll Take You Out of Your Mind,” the singers will straddle the efforts of the late ‘70s bands such as Bourgeois-Tagg (“I Don’t Mind At All”), the Payolas (“Hastings Street”), Stackridge (everything) & other groups that skimmed the shores of Beatledom in their own comparable & original way.
The laid back & melancholy “Old Hearts,” has a wonderful horn addition. Despite what their bios may read the music is most accurately comparable to England’s Stackridge & their songwriter Andy Davis (“Jabe” from Clevedon Pier) & James Warren who were both members of the Korgis (“Everybody’s Got To Learn Some Time,” “If I Had You”). Here there’s a strong resemblance. The only thing lacking is the Stackridge/Korgis old English eccentricity & dark humor (“The Volunteer,” “Happy In the Lord”).
Recorded in Nashville, TN the 11-tracks of their 6th album Here and Nowhere (Drops Oct 10/Yep Roc/49:21) is delightful. Delightful. Nothing grating or grungy. There are no idiotic repetitious poetic lyrics & cliches. Just well-arranged songs that come across with charm as produced by Patrick Sansone (lead vocalist/mellotron/organ/piano/electric piano/acoustic, electric & nylon string guitars/vibraphone/bgv/string, horn & woodwind arrangements).
“Winter Shore” continues in the Korgis style of strong melodies, string sections, harmonic vocalizing & tender arrangements with piano framing the production. This is an exceptional album with dynamic songs. “In the Beginning” is more contemporary & commercially mainstream. But the musicians keep everything English-tinted & with little touches of percussion that suggest someone sat down & thought all this stuff out with fat free results.
Nothing spills from the speakers sappy, sticky or lacking tunefulness. The project is determinedly individualistic & superb. Yes, it’s music for selective tastes, it’s the intelligent person’s pop music — but if you enjoyed music by the late career Beatles this is your huckleberry.
Highlights – “The Ones,” “I’ll Take You Out of Your Mind,” “Old Hearts,” “Winter Shore,” “In the Beginning,” “Underneath the Rollers,” “More Than I Can Say,” & “Ever Flowing Light.”
Musicians – John Stirratt (lead vocals/acoustic guitar/bass/piano/bgv), James Haggerty (bass), Greg Wieczorek (drums/percussion), with Brad Jones (harmonium), Jim Hoke (woodwinds/ flutes), Patrick Sansone (acoustic & electric guitars/piano/bgv/percussion), Austin Hoke (cello), Jennifer Kummer (French horn), Steve Tyska (flugelhorn), Matt Combs (strings), & Ben Rice (add’l percussion).
There’s a folded down lyric sheet included. Color image courtesy of Mikael Jorgensen.
CD @ Amazon/Apple & Bandcamp + https://theautumndefense.bandcamp.com/album/here-and-nowhere
