"For those of you who have seen my simpering, slavishly devotional Akron/Family blurbs and press releases in the past, wherein I make ridiculous claims about them (which I happen to believe!), it should come as no surpr... more »ise when I reiterate they are one of the best bands on the planet. I don't recall seeing such fantastic live shows ever, except maybe Pere Ubu at the Whiskey in LA circa 1978 or Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd circa 1968/9. Take those unrelated reference points and mix in The Beatles, Chicago Art Ensemble, CCR, The Grateful Dead, The Hollies, The Butthole Surfers, Led Zeppelin, and you might get a notion--probably not. Anyway, this record comes the closest to bridging the gap between the chaos, rock action, tribal bongo-banging and sentimental sing-alongs of their live shows and the necessarily more cerebral, or at least worked-over and layered process of recording in the studio. So, there are beautiful songs and harmonies on this album, and also wild and weird jams, all in the service of their chosen Deity, or Nothingness, or LOVE, or whatever it is they're on about." --Michael Gira/Young God Records« less
"For those of you who have seen my simpering, slavishly devotional Akron/Family blurbs and press releases in the past, wherein I make ridiculous claims about them (which I happen to believe!), it should come as no surprise when I reiterate they are one of the best bands on the planet. I don't recall seeing such fantastic live shows ever, except maybe Pere Ubu at the Whiskey in LA circa 1978 or Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd circa 1968/9. Take those unrelated reference points and mix in The Beatles, Chicago Art Ensemble, CCR, The Grateful Dead, The Hollies, The Butthole Surfers, Led Zeppelin, and you might get a notion--probably not. Anyway, this record comes the closest to bridging the gap between the chaos, rock action, tribal bongo-banging and sentimental sing-alongs of their live shows and the necessarily more cerebral, or at least worked-over and layered process of recording in the studio. So, there are beautiful songs and harmonies on this album, and also wild and weird jams, all in the service of their chosen Deity, or Nothingness, or LOVE, or whatever it is they're on about." --Michael Gira/Young God Records
CD Reviews
Listen to it every day and sometimes every night
dusdin | 09/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album has made me happy. I've thought about humans when listening to it. I've considered my place in a crowd, in the universe, in a graveyard. I've lain on the floor, closed my eyes, controlled my breathing and fainted accidentally. I've jumped up into the air, kicked my legs out, landed, danced in place, trying to do it faster than the songs. I've wished for a family. I've dreamed of being the performer and the person in the audience and that for a moment our heads become siamese.
This album is so good that I've given up writing reviews. I've given up reading reviews. I've sold my belongings, wrapped up provisions for a week in a bandana, placed it on the end of a stick and am now wandering around the railroad tracks listening to my ipod.
It's not like their other albums. There's more danger in it. And more blessing force, happily or impossibly."
We Wanted the Blessing Force, We Got the Blessing Force
Jason S. Shapiro | Saint Paul, MN | 10/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"They finally did it... an album that captures the intensity of their live shows, without excluding the aesthetic discretion found on their previous studio work. While some may be disappointed that it isn't as 'quiet' of a release as their first self-titled album, I'm of the opinion that this is their finest recording to date. Brilliant song writing, inventive performances, and quite possibly the best collection of songs released this year (2007). Simply put this is a "must have" for anyone interested in creative rock / folk music (i.e. Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Incredible String Band, Eloy, Can, etc).
The bonus DVD has some excellent performances as well, though the sound quality may limit its appeal to fans already familiar with their material."
Fascinating band...
aproductofsociety | 07/25/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Akron/Family defy easy categorization and bring a rare level of risk-taking and improvisation to their music. Their live performances are high voltage affairs with lots of decibels and boys in the audience frantically jumping up and down, shedding excess testosterone. This is a generous band, very human and daring.
Today's concert at Castle Clinton in NYC was typical but had me worried that maybe A/F is veering too far in the "wall of noise" sub-genre they shift into when they're not doing the quirky, quietly conceptual melodies that I prefer. I hope the band doesn't jettison the meditative and TUNEFUL style that drew me to them in favor of this overpowering and less interesting manifestation. I felt like I was being acoustically bludgeoned at today's concert and was extremely glad I brought earplugs..."
Won't leave the rotation
B. Klepac | 10/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Love is Simple is one of the best CDs I've heard in a long time. From beginning to end, a true masterpiece by a powerful band (who is even better live than in the studio). This hasn't left the 6-disc changer since I first put it in."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1