Update: If you’re looking for tablature or lyrics for Augustana songs, click here.
Who? Augustana. Apparently it means “small glimpse of hope” though they may have just made that up. Any Latin experts out there want to verify that?
So anyway… Augustana is a new band that signed with Epic Records not long ago. Now I don’t usually do reviews of bands that are signed. In my mind they don’t need the recognition and everyone already hates or loves them without the guidance of my opinion. But when I first heard a clip of these guys on their website I couldn’t keep from buying their tunes. After really listening I decided it fit so well with the sound of bands I typically like to review/listen to (something that bridges a sort of Irish folk-rooted, Beatle sound and the chill side of newer Americana, if that is possible), that I had to let my readers know about it.
Now let me say that although I love their sound there is very little that is revolutionary about this band. I think I love it because it is more of the same of what I typically love. But don’t expect to hear anything new unless you have never listened to Adam Cohen (site), Counting Crows (site), Ben Folds (site), or Melee (site). Their lyrics, chord progressions, guitar licks, and even the lead singer’s voice, (Dan Layus) have all been done. That may be the reason I like it so much. It’s like they took the sound of afore mentioned groups and others and said “we can do that as well or better”.
The EP to get:
“You’ll Disappear”
For those not familiar with LoveYourSong.com let me tell you that when I say I love a songwriter it usually means that I love one or two of their songs. That is the case with Augustana. There are three songs they have put out that deserve to be top 40’s, in my opinion. Right now they are among the top 50 of my own personal Billboard. Luckily these three songs are the only ones on Augustana’s EP album, You’ll Disappear, making it easy for consumers to purchase. I would highly recommend the album though I can’t say the same for their full album, All the Stars and Boulevards. Except for the songs “Boston”, “Bullets”, and “Stars and Boulevards” this album is pretty boring.
I want to start with what I love about “Bullets”. First, whoever was in charge of the digital effects is a master and I can’t think of a better way to add padding to a song that doesn’t need any than what they have done. Second, congratulations to Justin South on one of the most killer drum moments I have heard. Listen closely to the drums and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Last, the chorus is one that I simply can’t get out of my head. It reminds me of “Boys” by Ryan Adams (site) in its intensity and soaring, driving, vocals. It could also be compared with several choruses of The Killers (site) (for those not as familiar with Ryan Adams). It’s catchy but not in a contrived, pop way.
Augustana trying very hard to look retro.
On to “Boston”. The piano line in this jem of a song is very original. It’s not quite Keane (site) but just as simple. It’s not ornate enough to be Ben Folds but just as catchy. I’m not a huge fan of the organ in the background but it’s not bad. The rhythm guitar, slowly strumming it’s overdrive-chords, is just what the songs asks for. The lead guitar even helps the song (unlike some of their others). The chorus is reminiscent of Goo Goo Dolls “Name” but in an improving way. Finally, the lyrics are wonderful. They are simple and conversational but speak to sort of pain that everyone has felt and longs to find relief from. Makes me want to go over to Boston and get out of California… er… Utah.
My third favorite song is “Stars and Boulevards”. The thing I like the most about this song is Dan Layus’s voice. He sings this one in his lower register and demonstrates as much intensity down there as he has in his other, higher songs. However, the lead guitar really bothers me in this song. I feel like it really detracts from the melody and is annoyingly unsure of itself. It’s as if Josiah Rosen just threw it in there for the sake of having it. Sorry Josiah. I like most of the stuff you do but this one just didn’t work too well. But while I’m picking on him I might as well throw this in too. “Feel Fine” and “Wasteland”, although completely different in their registers, intensity, and volume, seem to share lead guitar parts. I wonder how aware Augustana is of this. This is one of the only things about this band that reveals their newness as a group. New lead guitarists often, whether aware of it or not, find themselves throwing extremely similar lead licks in different songs. Well, on the other hand there’s Van Helen. So I guess that’s not always bad.
Augstana sporting their Eddie
Bauer winter-wear.
I won’t review any of their other songs since I wasn’t that impressed with them. But I do want to mention that I’m amazed with “Coffee and Cigarettes”, not because I like it that much. Only because it sounds like they got with the old Paul Simon to write it. It is completely different from their other stuff and I like that. It shows that the band is not stuck in one cookie-cutter sound that they will never have the ability to change (like Nickelback). Good work guys.
–Andrew
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