- Portlandian experimental folk, psych and generally tripped out three piece Akron/Family have just dropped their latest full length album, Sub Verses. A record that has built on their past release S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT but with a whole new level of exploration, delving into common pop, electronica and even a few elements from their recent additions to Swans last album, The Seer.
It's opener No Room that sets the tone, with clear influence from Indian psych seeping in whilst building up like classic prog rock. Then, the initially thunderous The Way Up starts all metalled up but then transforms into Meriweather Post Pavillion-esque Animal Collective and with some of the harmonies in the track you could quite easily believe that Panda Bear has made a sneaky guest appearance. Unfortunately not, though, this is just a good imitation.
First single, Until The Morning isn't necessarily a great representation of the album. It sounds too generic and pop driven and, with some minor tweaking, could be passed off as a Grizzly Bear B-side. It isn't necessarily a bad song, but it is one of the record's weaker tracks, musically, even if, lyrically, it does hold up quite well. Speaking of lyrics, the record broaches similar themes to the group's past releases: escapism, personal relationships and exploring existence on another plane. These ideas return consistently throughout the record's ten tracks and, really, what else would you expect from Akron/Family?
The second half of this record is where things really take off. Sand Time is typical Akron rock of quick guitar riffs and commanding verses - it is of a kind with older songs like Another Sky and They Will Appear. The Whole World is Watching makes headbanging fodder out of its instantly noticeable drum beat and octave pedal driven guitar riffs. When I Was Young seems takes a bizarre cue from doo-wop with horns leading the way in a really rhythmically focussed outing. By contrast, closer Samurai is a sombre affair and a great way to end this little oddity, featuring some great slide-guitar work and a rather legitimate vocal delivery.
Sub Verses is a record that would suit any existing Akron fan, and would make a great gateway to any new one. It definitely has its moments, and while not being to dedicated fans the most initially intriguing record, it does, however, have the potential to grow and flower into a lovely venus fly trap of aural bliss.

- Brad Armstrong.