..melodic post-rock in the vein of Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You! Black Emperor and even borrows a little from ’70s prog-rock outfits such as Genesis and Yes. – Flagpole Magazine
Speaking through actions is traditionally the task of self-assured, moral men adhering to a higher standard than lip service. Applying the same status to a rock-n-roll band is a woeful misstep but, at the same time, there is a similarity in the self-assurance it takes to maintain an instrumental rock band these days. Audiences are used to the bombast and beauty of Sigur Ros, the muscular U2-isms of Maserati and the soundtrack-worthy composition of Explosions In The Sky. Each speak to that particular portion of the human soul which seeks foundation and inspiration. The problem is the field of instrumental bands is becoming more and more crowded and why should you care about a band called A. Armada out of Athens, GA? Because A. Armada speaks to other needs.
Formed in 2004 by guitarists Matt Nelson and Josh McCauley, with the addition of bassist Bryant Williamson (Cinemechanica) and drummer Jeremy “Catfish†Harbin, A. Armada plays internally expansive music. The instrumental methods of the band are clearly akin to the aforementioned groups (as well as Appleseed Cast, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, etc.) but rather than mimic the sound they have taken inspiration. Whereas so much music produced by the other groups mentioned causes one to envision an open-ended world, A. Armada’s music is more personal. If anything, the message from A. Armada is to work from where one is and to focus that inspiration internally. In many ways, it’s a bootstrap work-ethic translated into music. Considering that A. Armada has its roots in the tiny Georgia border town of Columbus, it seems clear A. Armada means it.
On Anam Cara, the band’s first proper record, A. Armada weaves its sound through ringing guitars dipped in echo and a rhythm section that serves more as propellant than mere support. The pieces shift from somber genteelness to intense consideration to soft cradling. This isn’t music to conquer the world by; this is music to conquer oneself with. But if you ask the band about this they’ll probably give you a blank stare. That is, really, the whole point; in making music for themselves they’ve inadvertently made it for you.
Hello Sir Records is releasing Anam Cara on January 27, 2009.
Track Listing
01. The Dam Was Split But The City Was Saved
02. The Moon Shifts The Sea The Sea Shapes The Shore The Shore Shakes The Sand The Sand Sinks The Ship
03. Fall-Triumph
04. Into Days & Nights & Years & Months
05. If Only You Knew What The Lost Soldiers Did To Me
* with Silver Apples and Grail