Artist: I Am Your Autopilot
Title: Robots In The Orchestra
Label: Timbreland Records
Genre: Folk
Bitrate: 185kbit av.
Time: 00:44:39
Size: 62.05 mb
Rip Date: 2009-08-30
Str Date: 2009-09-21
01. Smokescreens 3:08
02. All In Our Hands 3:47
03. We've Been Here Before 4:51
04. Airside 3:33
05. Think Of The Words 3:43
06. Empty Heart 4:02
07. Yesterday's Signs 3:59
08. Traces 5:46
09. Timelines 5:06
10. Five Lanes 6:44
Release Notes:
æRobots in the OrchestraÆ is the debut album from Manchester based trio
I Am Your Autopilot and is a collection of ten meticulously crafted
songs that effortlessly blend soulful electronics and choral vocals
with chiming acoustic guitars and analogue synth oscillations.
I Am Your Autopilot have collaborated with New York based multimedia
artist Fredo Viola for a series of European shows throughout 2009,
including an appearance at La Cigale in Paris and a live session on the
internationally renowned La Blogotheque.
The three members of the band have history between them - Ben Evans and
Graeme Brooker were writing partners for a number of years in The
Italian Love Party who recorded for Tony WilsonÆs Factory Too label.
Jasper Wilkinson played with Jersey Street, whose mix of soul and
afro-funk was on regular rotation on the dancefloor at ManchesterÆs now
legendary Electric Chair night.
As a three-piece the sound they create belies influences as diverse as
Air, Spiritualized, Simon & Garfunkel and Franτois Couperin and their
debut album grabs you with its cinematic, heartbreaking and jubilant
quality.
In 2008 I Am Your Autopilot were short-listed for the prestigious Best
in Manchester award for their work in collaborative multimedia, and
further projects are planned for the future including more
multi-national cluster videos with Fredo Viola and soundtrack work for
Little Gorilla Films in New York.
Distinctive, and very different keyboard notes introduce the opening
song æSmokescreensÆ and continue at a decreasing level underneath some
wonderful vocal harmonies. ThereÆs melody to burn, good lyrics and a
highly innovative sound. æAll In Our HandsÆ proves the band has a few
more enchanting tricks up its sleeves. It wanders along at relatively
slow pace with the most subtle, dark guitar backdrop. Love it! æWeÆve
Been Here BeforeÆ takes another left-turn with the most extraordinary
electronic noises quickly followed by an acoustic guitar passage
complete with scraping strings, and anothwer gorgeous vocal
performance. ThereÆs a strong folk vibe to this one and a faint
reminder of Simon & Garfunkel.
æAirsideÆ takes another mind-boggling musical turn with electronics and
warped vocal samples dominating. The sound then becomes æcleanerÆ with
bass-driven Russian choral style backing vocals and another set of good
lyrics which are audible with great clarity. Hand Claps introduce
æThink Of The WordsÆ in a song that is performed a capella save for the
odd drum roll for the first few minutes. Keyboards then flash in and
out in the most adventurous song here. æEmpty HeartÆ performs the trick
but this time with electronic accompaniement arriving about a minute in
joined by subtle guitar notes. ItÆs a beautiful, moving song.
Then arrives one of my favourite tracks that weÆll be airing soon on
our radio show. ItÆs a heady. tuneful mix of the new and old.
Extraordinary. Darkness and threat pervades æTracesÆsÆ opening passage
followed by the lightness of vocals and gently plucked guitar, and
brushed tom-toms. æTimelinesÆ is my standout on this album due mainly
to the first extensive use of swaying strings and a song that reminds
me of one of my faviourite bands, Low. Gorgeous. This wonderful album
closes in strong acoustic style with æFive LanesÆ and the clearest and
most moving vocals on the album.
ThereÆs adventure and musicality in abundance here, and certainly an
album that, for me, will feature in our end-of-year best-of list.
ThereÆs subtle sonic diversity in virtually every song whilst the
bandÆs signature sound is sustained throughout. Highly recommended
sire@hush.ai