When it comes to the dreamy, ambient sound of a band like The Autumns, a little bit can go a long way. So it’s probably to their credit that the band’s fourth LP release finds The Autumns expanding their range, occasionally incorporating arena-rock majesty or danceable new wave rhythm into their swirling melodies. Those meaty influences add a nice bit of weight to the music, not to mention bringing singer Matthew Kelly’s airy falsetto down to earth. Their ambition works in their favor more often than not; it’s difficult to resist the hooky refrain of the album’s first single “Boys,” or the bouncy bass and choppy riffs of “Glass Jaw.” The band seems to have developed a knack for sneaking sophisticated musical arrangements and unexpected chord progressions into poppy melodies, like in the lush anthem “Only Young” or “Clem,” with its radio-ready chorus. The stunning second single “Killer in Drag” starts with a jangly intro that sounds like an outtake from The Eraser, then ventures into moodier musical territory with its dissonant vocal harmonies. It’s at once an experimental and decidedly more commercial direction for their music, like a more fun, less theatrical Muse. It’s potentially alienating for fans of the band who might prefer that they stick to their shoe-gazing qualities, but a step in an exciting direction for a band whose vision has caught up with their talent. Fake Noise From A Box Of Toys could potentially open up The Autumns to an audience who may have overlooked the band until now.
– Keidra Chaney
The Autumns: www.theautumns.com
Bella Union: www.bellaunion.com
World’s Fair: www.worlds-fair.net