Velvet Grooves

The Akron Family is a four member band from Brooklyn who've been going since about 2004 (I think). Their initial self title album was critically acclaimed and earned them a much respected place as a band. The S/T LP was released around the same time as the new 'weird folk' boom started - so their music at the time was very fresh - re-inventing folk in a way.

Now they're back with a new album - Meek Warrior - which again sees them plotting a new course, with a new direction. Collaborating with their friend, the legendary Michael Gira (SWANS/Angels of Light), they deliver an album more powerful and complex than the first still retaining the beauty to a high standard. Maybe even succeeding their debut.

There are elements of free-jazz, prog-rock, folk, and gospel choir all brilliantly fitted into just over 35 minutes. When you're introduced to Meek Warrior with 'Blessed Force' - you feel like you're listening to a different band - they've gone on a rampage with their new prog-rock influence mixing with Mingus style jazz - it really is different to anything they've done before. It's when we get to 'Gone Beyond' where we meet familiar A/F territory - percussion, harmonising and acoustics, I love this album already.

With the title track 'Meek Warrior', Gira joins in with the vocals adding a nice, strong touch to the song - which has a kind of Animal Collective feel to it. It's another strong point to the album. 'No Space In This Realm' is quite possibly the best track - the first minute is vocal dominated to subtle guitars and tambourines whilst the vocals echo with each other to harmonies into a kind of choir backdrop. Then we have a four minute instrumental which really is just.... excellent.... like a trip through a sunny canyon, we have bongo's, chellos, guitars, trumpets all forming into a kind of Vetiver track set on a nice sunny, warm day in the Amazon.

'Lightning Bolt Of Compassion' see the lead vocalist sing in Spanish against a simple guitar melody. It's a kind of ease from the previous track - whilst we prepare for 'The Rider (Dolphin Song)'. This is where everything properly takes a turning - all the previous quietness of the album is rushed into something similar to 'Blessing Force' - shouting vocals threading with Giras voice. It sounds like great angriness comes from the vocals which is further matched by the sudden outbursts of noise, like out of control screaming from the instruments as they try to fight each other out leaving the track with a bit of a power-burst. 'Love and Space' is more of an accapella from all four band members to finish off the album in a light manner, peacefully.