The Autumn Defense - The Autumn Defense

Genre pop Publisher Broadmoor Records External Links Official The Autumn Defense Website Official Broadmoor Records Website

Here's another album from a local artist that defies generalization. The Autumn Defense's self-titled, third release (finding the band back on the Broadmoor imprint after a one-off on Arena Rock for 2003's Circles) is a gorgeous, sun-kissed beauty of a record. This is a moment in time captured for eternity, something so perfectly moving it defies negativity.

Stirratt and Pat Sansone (both also of Wilco) haven't re-invented anything they've attempted the previous two albums, so much as perfected it. The writing, both musically and lyrically, is more confident and mature, showing a lot of growth. The sense of space, the musical layering and arranging and the tightened harmonies between the two (who both have a similar range and tone in their vocals) is also light years ahead of their prior output.

And they have managed to match the material to a similar musical theme (low-key, orchestral-pop) while crafting several standout tracks this time out. "Estate Remains" brings to mind some of the James Joyce-ian lyrics on Stirratt's work with Scott McCaughey's band The Minus 5 on 2003's Down With Wilco, while "Where You Are" is the sort of dreamy song that deserves tall, lush, green grass in a quiet meadow far from the work of man. "Winterlight" features Sansone and Stirratt in Everly Brothers territory, hinting still at something else I haven't been able to put my finger on just yet. "Feel You Now" is blue-eyed soul at its best, with the band sounding down right funky throughout. The vocals here are something quite special. "City Bells" has a latin flair and groove while simultaneously evoking wintry images. "Criminal" features some strident passages with more spectacular vocal work. But my favorite tracks are among the last on the album.

"I Knew It All Along," where Stirratt sings "what's the use in going out when you wanna be at home?" backing up sentiments told to this writer recently when interviewing him. Stirratt recently became a parent and he expressed how much he'd rather stay home these days with his family than out on the town. The song is mature and moving, featuring some light percussion and acoustic guitars with the vocals more up front in the mix than in most of the rest of the album, showing true confidence.

Then there's the penultimate track, "About To Change," a sweeping, elegant song sung by Pat that has a wistful sadness to it. Melancholy fits this band well, but they mix things up enough to make it all sound beautiful. "Simple Explanation" ends the album by bringing the mood up a bit, evoking something vaguely Simon & Garfunkel-ish in its dual vocal passages and lightly accentuated musical accompaniment. Plus they use the word "acquiesce"...which really lifts me up for some reason.

I have found myself thinking about this album a lot even when I'm not listening to it. Passages of melodies and harmonies have lodged their way into my brain, bringing a smile to my face and soothing my soul. On their newest album The Autumn Defense's Pat Sansone and John Stirratt have made an album that stands as the first great release of 2007.