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Autodrone
Strike a Match
Posted: Monday, January 28, 2008
By: Amy Mauk
Flash Animator / Motion Graphics Slave
By: Amy Mauk
Flash Animator / Motion Graphics Slave
Tight songwriting comes with a dash of self-sabotage on Autodrone's latest release.
Living at the intersection of Mazzy Star and Franz Ferdinand, Autodrone's songs float along dreamily, while occasionally jumping headlong into quasi-disco. Dennis Lehrer's strong drums provide a good contrast with Rachel Luria's airy vocals, making march vs. dream one of Autodrone's most effective signatures. Unfortunately, the songs' strong points are often hidden by a mix that often places drums and guitar above vocals, leaving listeners struggling to understand lyrics. Autodrone also seem to be struggling to find their identity, unable to decide whether their target audience wants to dance or listen to a meandering noise odyssey. As a result, the rock is brought to a screeching halt three times in favor of giving listeners a trip down guitar pedal highway.
The high point of Strike a Match is "Sometimes," when Autodrone temporarily leave the land of dream pop. The drums come in at a firm, driving gallop, the vocals are watery yet barbed, the guitar plays a melody that would usually be left to a keyboard, and the bass is warmly menacing, preparing us for a chorus when all proverbial hell breaks loose. The last track, "Pictures" is a study in what could have been. The song is more than six minutes long, but its charmingly simple piano and Luria's airy vocals make it a suitable lullaby that is just the right length. The one glaring fault of the song is the overbearing guitar that would serve the same dreamy purpose as Luria's vocals, were it not so loud. An excellent, honest song ends up competing with a guitar track that refuses to know its place.
Strike a Match needs a remix to fit into the "must have" canon, but its strong songs and good musicianship still make it worth your while. Autodrone have done good work, but their mixing isn't doing them any favors.
The high point of Strike a Match is "Sometimes," when Autodrone temporarily leave the land of dream pop. The drums come in at a firm, driving gallop, the vocals are watery yet barbed, the guitar plays a melody that would usually be left to a keyboard, and the bass is warmly menacing, preparing us for a chorus when all proverbial hell breaks loose. The last track, "Pictures" is a study in what could have been. The song is more than six minutes long, but its charmingly simple piano and Luria's airy vocals make it a suitable lullaby that is just the right length. The one glaring fault of the song is the overbearing guitar that would serve the same dreamy purpose as Luria's vocals, were it not so loud. An excellent, honest song ends up competing with a guitar track that refuses to know its place.
Strike a Match needs a remix to fit into the "must have" canon, but its strong songs and good musicianship still make it worth your while. Autodrone have done good work, but their mixing isn't doing them any favors.
