 |
 THE AMERICAN DOLLAR - A Memory Stream (Yesh Music)
The American Dollar are a two piece instrumental ambient rock group from Queens, NY. Taking on a daunting task of trying to write an instrumental album that doesn't bore the average listener (as so far it seems Explosions in the Sky have expertly done this so far, but other have fallen flat on their face). Hopefully, their new album A Memory Stream can open up this genre to more than just the diehards.
The album opens up with a sharp piano riff backed by softer organs that leave a nice backdrop for what seems to be a rather isolated piano riff. After a couple minutes of piano, organ, and the occasionally odd sounds the song finally opens up about two and a half minutes in. With a calming back beat and smooth acoustic guitar as well as synths playing over the guitar and drum, making an eclectic yet not chaotic sound. After five minutes without ever really grabbing me, the song "A Slow Wait" lives up to its name, as it seemed like a slow wait for the album to actually start.
With a smooth transition the song jumps into the second track with a more upbeat drum fill over the same moaning organs and a faster piano coming in over. With loud snare and heavy back drum the song really starts off with some passion but slowly dies down soon enough back to what the beginning of song one sounded like. The song goes back and forth between these loud and soft motions, which become a common theme for this band.
After listening to several more tracks, the American Dollar really seems to specialize in catchy beats and interesting piano hooks, but unfortunately they play them to death and often times repeat them too much, which is often the downfall of many instrumental bands. Continually jumping from the loud and catchy beats and then empty with just the piano makes a nice sound, but unfortunately is not enough to keep me completely interested.
A Memory Stream is a very solid instrumental ambient album, really being able to layer on good textures and solid drum beats as well as incorporating good piano hooks, but unfortunately it can seem to drag on as most ambient music does seem to me. It makes good background music for art shows and other artsy crap I suppose, but outside of that, the American Dollar lives up to their name and are pretty weak. If you really love Do Make Say Think or bands of the type, go ahead and grab this, outside of that, I wouldn't put it on my wishlist just yet.
- Patrick Dowd
|
|