FOLIO
by Kali McLevy
Label: Kranky
Release date: October 20, 2009
Indie darling Bradford Cox is at it again. The Deerhunter front man’s solo project, Atlas Sound, is set to release it’s second album, Logos, just over a year and a half after the debut. Someone’s been eating his Wheaties.
In February of 2008, Atlas Sound released Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Not Feel, whose feel closely resembled the idiosyncrasies of Deerhunter. In the press release for Logos, Cox is quoted as saying, “My last album was a bedroom laptop type thing. Very introverted.” But concerning his new work, “The view is a lot more panoramic and less close-up. I became bored with introspection.” This explains the new and broader creativity and imagination emanating from the melodies on this album. Cox also gives a great deal of credit to past tour-mates Animal Collective, whose “dynamic was very inspirational to be around.”
The album has a vast scope, all the songs being individually arranged in a well-sequenced fashion. Each has its own story and place, more like a mixtape than a studio album. His previous work has been hit or miss, but Logos is definitely a hit with nothing to complain about. The catchiest song is ‘Walkabout,’ a collaboration between Cox and Noah Lennox (Panda Bear of Animal Collective) that was inspired by the Dovers classic ‘What Am I Going To Do.’ “I was amazed at the hook– a weird organ thing with drums and electric bass,” Cox comments. Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab, contributed her vocal and lyrical stylings on the song ‘Quick Canal.’ Her astral voice, as lulling as ever, leaves a brilliant flare and mark on the shortest 8 minutes and 40 seconds I’ve ever experience.
When I first heard about Atlas Sound and it’s ties to Deerhunter, I knew I’d be in for a musical treat, but never expected what I heard when I popped in Logos for the first time. With an experimental and ambient texture resembling the 4-piece, Atlanta-based band Cox hails from and an Animal Collective feel, Atlas Sound’s more upbeat pace in their second album is refreshing and delicious to the ears. An anomaly in and of itself, Logos is a must listen.
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