American Analog Set
"Know By Heart"
Tiger Style

At first listen I would swear that this band is out of Chicago. They have a comparable sound to Tortoise, Sea and Cake, and Chicago Underground Duo. Soft pop, jangly guitars, jazz infused rock all characterize their sound. However, they have a distinction from the comparable bands in that they haven’t lost touch with rock and roll. They sound familiar like the texture of early Crosby, Stills and Nash (I am thinking of songs like Guinnevere). They keep the basic guitar, keyboard and drum sound. Subtlety is their weapon of choice and they know how to use it effectively. Who said soft sounds can’t rock hard? They dispel this myth with stark cymbal crashes amidst acoustic melody and crescendos of softness. This style is consistent amongst all their albums to date - six formal releases at last count.

"Know By Heart" is AASs latest proper release and it doesn’t stray from previous sounds - which is a good thing. I really enjoyed this album on a turntable through my old tube amp because I encouraged that warm, analog, acoustic sound. How fitting their name is. I fell in love with this album on first listen when I checked the title of track one. "Punk as Fuck" is an incisive name for a song that takes nothing from punk rock. Its lyrics aren’t angry, just melancholy like its sound - I'm on your side/And we're always right/It's the circuit/That gets worse yet/So leave me to die in the comfort of my own home. It also has a great rhythmic sound that teases the ear with complexity.

"The Only One" is a classic love song and again like its music it is simple and unpretentious - Keep me like a key/Worn around your neck/Lucky like a charm/And closest to your heart/Keep me like a jewel/Curled around your finger/And hold me in your hand/I'm lit up like a candle, the only one.

"Aaron and Maria" is a unique track because of its interesting take on storytelling. Sorta the "Jack and Diane" of indie rock. It tells of two runaway lovers - We're living off some modest trust/From daddy 'fore his oil went bust/And loving you is just enough/'Cause no one gives a fuck about us.

The last track tackles technology and displacement with its name - We're Computerizing And We Just Don't Need You Anymore. The entire song’s lyrics are once again simple - You and me/On half speed/Wild and free/But quietly/Like we're supposed to be.

This album is easy on the ears. From first listen I think it is warm and enjoyable. This isn’t what you want to put on when you want to rock out. But when you want to relax, unwind, share romance reflect, or just listen to excellent and different high quality music, then you have found the right item. If you don’t like doing any of that or then don’t buy this.

By the way, -surprise - they are out of Austin.