Posted on: January 22, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

The style of music that Kyle Andrews comes out with on eir “Amos in Ohio” sounds like a more electronic version of Joseph Arthur. The use of synthesizers in the indie-rock laden opening to the disc gives the track an older feel (almost as if one is in the sixties), while still having the cherubic charms of a Matthew Sweet. The electronic/indie style of Andrews is not just a ploy to sell more in the way of albums, as “Moon Tea” continues in the same vein as “Amos in Ohio”. The tempo might be different and the overall sound of the tracks may be miles away from each other, but one knows at the end of the night that there is something that links the tracks on this album.

Andrews is one of the few individuals that can continually have shorter tracks and not make eir listeners think as if ey is stiffing them in any way. All of the songs on “Amos in Ohio” are full and nuanced without having to push four minutes; “Moon Tea”, one of the disc’s most compelling track, barely makes it over 2:30. One of the things that is different about Andrews’ album is that it never is insistent. The tracks all meander around without losing their way; what results is something that is like floating on clouds rather than be given the bum’s rush for thirty or forty minutes. The disc is not visually compelling; the cover art just has a blue ball on a white cover with the title and Kyle’s name; that was done purposefully so that individuals would have no expectations coming into the disc. In the same way, this forces Andrews’ music to speak for itself.

The soul that comes through so solidly on tracks like “Scent of Mint” does this job perfectly and makes individuals fall head over heels for this smart brand of rock. This is the type of act that would enthrall all ey played to; the coffee shops would be all full up as Andrews plays a brand of emotive rock that Conor would play if ey wasn’t so goddamned bipolar. All I know at the end of “Amos in Ohio” is that I want to hear more from Andrews; the tracks on the disc are solid without being repetitive or boring. Here’s to hoping that Andrews can keep with the same high quality of “Amos in Ohio”.

Top Tracks: Connecting the Dots, Scent of Mint

Rating: 7.0/10

[JMcQ]

Kyle Andrews – Amos in Ohio / 2006 Badman / 13 Tracks / http://www.kyleandrews.com / http://www.badmanrecordings.com / Reviewed 19 July 2006

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