Akron/Family

Songs about bear tête-à-têtes over secret honey stashes, compassion for panhandlers and endless summers. Oh Akron/Family! You so crazy! While it's clear that this astral trio will never be accused of writing "normal" pop songs, and despite the deliberately oddball title (apparently appropriated from a found scrap of paper), this fifth full-length is the most classically rock of their efforts. While they are still gazing skyward in awe most of the songs here are earthy and celebratory, filled with sunlight and water and the green of all growing things. A/K (mostly) get away with their rampant positivity and granola vibe with clearly ecstatic musicianship that puts them in the corner with Brian Wilson, John Coltrane and Syd Barrett. A corner well stocked with copies of Walden, Wordsworth and William Carlos Williams, no doubt. Recent tours and group commingling with fellow trio Megafaun may have resulted in a little DNA recombination as the latter's recent mini-album had a lighter style and instrumental expansiveness while A/K has taken on sharper focus while keeping their trademark energy. It's an energy that bursts out of every bar of this effort.