Music Notes: Angels and Airwaves, We Don’t Need To Whisper

July 12th, 2006

Tanja received a box of promo CDs from a record label, so I think it will be fun for me to post my aging, Gen X thoughts about this â€œnew music.

$We Don\'t Need to Whisper$

Amazon link

Music This is an interesting CD, going for an epic feel recalling prog rock bands of the late seventies. The first clue is that most of the songs are over 5 minutes in length, the second is the sci-fi album art. It’s guitars, bass, and drums but reaching for something more, using an overall arc of songs that build over their running time over basic chord progressions: not something easily done, and these guys are more or less successful at pulling it off. I think having a good, real drummer is a large part of the equation. The extremely ornate website and promo package lends some more clues to the concept, which calls up a future still to come or one that should be happening now. I give Angels And Airwaves a lot of credit as the concept album thing is halfway into the grave due to single song downloads.

I only have a few nits to pick with this album: First, what the heck is the deal with processing vocals through Antares Auto-Tune? All three albums I’ve listened to recently rely on it heavily, to the point where I feel it’s a detriment. Second, a big note-laden guitar solo never hurt anyone. I think an extra dose of dry, spiky Television added to this mix would up the appeal for me.

I’ll admit I know nothing regarding the band members’ former roles in Blink 182 and other bands I’ve never listened to or care about. However this is probably a good thing as I have no preconcieved notions regarding any of these fellows’ talent. I guess some see Angels and Airwaves some kind of super-group along the lines of Asia or The Grays. In a sick way, I hope the band breaks up so this one album exists alone, building its reputation.