Release Date: Spring 2003
Website: www.audiooutsend.com
Audio Out Send
- ...Or Does It Explode?
Matthew Ralph
Subtlety is a feature often overlooked in music. The average music
listener doesn't appreciate something that takes time to discover,
patience to hear out. Unfortunately, when so many CD's pile their way
up on my desk, I don't have a lot of time to do that myself. But
Oakland-based Audio Out Send are a band that have a knack of crafting
songs that take the opposite approach of in-your-face. Quivering vocals
that never reach even close to cell phone in public level, faint
acoustic guitar, and drifting atmospheric sounds created with keys and
some careful knob turning and button pushing.
At times reminding me of Death Cab For Cutie before they decided they
wanted to be rock stars and canned the subtle approach or a Grandaddy
that isn't shooting for placement on the British charts, this is strong
release from beginning to end. Considering another strong release this
year by Bay Area band Rogue Wave, who by the way seem to be coming from
a similar place in terms of influence and song craft, it's safe to say
that the music scene in that part of the country is heading in positive
directions.
Still, if there is any knock it would be that the punch is lacking in
the end, the kind of thing that takes a subtle band over the top and
commands the attention needed for the replay button to be pushed.
"Calling Out the Girl" and "Last Call For First Times" make a strong
case to contradict that comment. Both songs carry the album along
nicely with a more upbeat approach, giving the slower numbers a
reference point. These cats weren't stupid when they ordered the songs.
As each song gives way to the next, the careful listener is treated
with a new dimension, a different take on a similar warm path that
weaves the listener through dream sequences and sparkling snapshots of
a starry night.
In a time where singles are becoming the rage again and everyone's
looking for a song or two to add to their computer playlist, Audio Out
Send don't rise to the top, but if you listen carefully to this fine
debut, you'd realize that wasn't the intention all along.
posted 12.19.03
-----
Matt Ralph has bags full of bad CD's. Add to his collection at matt@tangzine.com
2002 White Elephant
Productions