Pinback “Autumn Of The Seraphs” (Touch And Go)
Autumn Of The Seraphs has been the least immediate Pinback record for me. So much so that I took about a month off from the record before revisiting it recently. It helped as I found the album much easier to digest upon further listens. This is the duo of Rob Crow and Zach Smith’s fourth full-length album and first since 2004’s top-notch Summer In Abaddon. Crow ventured out into the solo world last year with his album, Living Well. However, it is plainly apparent that his best material happens when it is balanced by his partner.
Autumn Of The Seraphs is fascinating as Pinback seems to be moving in two different directions. Pinback are masters at arrangements and subtle, weaving melodies that get buried in your head. That continues on Autumn Of The Seraphs as the album possesses some of Pinback’s most melodic material yet. On the other hand Pinback sneakily creep into more atmospheric waters on numerous tracks. The duo also uses a couple of live drummers, Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes) and Chris Prescott (No Knife), as well as drum machines on several songs. It is yet another contrast that Autumn Of The Seraphs exploits so well. Amazingly, these differences only work to enhance the overall quality of the album.
The consistency of Pinback’s albums continue to astound. Because of that, there is always a chance of staleness creeping in. Frankly, I was afraid of that when the album failed to hit me upon initial listens. Maybe one day Pinback’s formula will cease to charm but it has not happened just yet. Slowly but surely, Autumn Of The Seraphs reveals its many gifts and measures as one of Pinback’s finest works to date.
Genre: Indie/Pop/Rock
RIYL: Elliott Smith, The Police, The Folk Implosion
[audio http://www.pinback.com/mp3/From_Nothing_to_Nowhere.mp3]
The first track sounds a lot like “Thingy”
didn’t you post this a long time ago? am i losing my mind?
no and yes, you are crazy.