1. 1. The self-titled debut EP by upcoming indie and alternative rock band American Authors, which was released on August 27th 2013. o American Authors is a Boston, born, Brooklyn-based indie rock band consisting of Zachary Barnett (lead vocals & guitar), James Adam Shelley (lead guitar & banjo), Dave Rublin (Bass) and Matt Sanchez (drums). Artist Background Zachary, James, Dave and Matt meet and formed a band called The Blue Pages in 2006 while attending Berklee College of Music. During the bands early years they were based in Boston; where they began playing live shows and recording their first album. The band reformed in 2012, under the name American Authors and released their first single. The January of 2013 the band signed with Mercury Records Album Background The bands first single Believer, gained immediate attention of alternative radio stations. The second single, Best Day of My Life, which hit #17 on the US Adult Pop Chart - was featured in a United States Lowe's television advertisements, a Hyundai television advertisement in the United Kingdom, a trailer for the film Delivery Man, and the opening sequence for ESPN's 2013 World Series of Poker coverage. The song Hit It is featured on the soundtrack for the new FIFA 14 video game, which traditionally features young and upcoming artists. I heard this band just a few weeks ago while listening to the Music Choice Adult Alternative channel on Comcast Cable. From the start I knew I was going to like this band because of their refreshing alternative and folk rock inspired sound that seems to be a fusion between acoustic and electric guitars, and mixed with some interesting sounding drum patterns, to create songs with upbeat, positive vibes as well as feel-good, postive messages that remind me a lot of Mumford & Sons, Imagine Dragons or Jukebox The Ghost. Track by Track Review: 1. Believer This song starts out with an interesting setback drum pattern and banjo pairing that seems to get louder and more danceable as the song progresses; This is especially the case when paired with the catchy handclap and whistle backbeats, interesting acoustic and electric guitar work as well as vocals that seem to break through the instrumentation to spread the positive message of just believing and keeping the faith, regardless of how bad things get. 2. Best Day Of My Life This song begins with an acoustic guitar/banjo led opening that give the song an upbeat vibe, similar to Imagine Dragons Its Time. As the song continues, the likeliness between this track and Its Time continues, with some catchy, passionate vocals as well as some well-executed instrumentations by way of some simple acoustic guitar chords and heart-pounding drum beats. 3. Luck This songs starts with an upbeat sounding drum and vocal pairing that seems to travel throughout the song but slowing down during the chorus as the theme of the song shirts to that of self-reflection resemble that of an open letter to the band members families about how important it was for them to chase their dreams. Please just listen cause I dont ask for much / I am my own man, I make my own luck,. The lyrics are highly personal; making the song feels powerfully genuinely touching yet extremely positive at the same time. 4. Hit It This is a fast-paced, old-fashioned sounding rock song about a missed romantic opportunity, in which this song tells of the rebound, Right from the start this song has an infectiously catchy quality, especially with its tempo changes and creative guitar riffs and loops It starts with a short distorted guitar riff (that ends up looping around to travel throughout the song)and vocal pairing opening that builds up then explores into a fast-paced chorus, led by some interesting sounding guitar loops that support the great wordplay; this can be seen with the rhyming versus that are catchy yet complex because of how quickly they are sung. After the main chorus the song once again slows down with some personal lyrics the picks up speed again at the end with some great group-
2. 2. vocals as well as a banjo solo /vocal pairing that reminds me of Mumford and Sons. Overall this track is my favorite on the EP because of its fun, lighthearted vibe as well as its similarities to Vampire Weekends Diane Young and New Politics Harlem. 5. Home This track finishes off this EP with a bang as it seems to showcase both the bands love of writing stories through music and love of classic rock. This song starts out with a slow opening then quickly builds up with the help of a heavy, classic rock inspired guitar riff. The main chorus of the song features some interesting tempo changes and instrumental work that includes a kick drum, (that reminds me of My Chemical Romance) guitar and vocal pairing that is both heartfelt and inspirational. Towards the end of the song the band goes back to their Boston roots by including a traditional Irish folk-style inspired bridge and interesting group vocals that sound like a choir. My Thoughts: Even though this EP is an extremely small sample size, I will say that I love what this band is about; simplywriting stories and reading them through music, as their Facebook page proclaims. The enjoyable instrumental work that the band chooses to surround these stories and general love of life just adds to me liking them. Whether they are using some unique drum patterns, or some folk rock inspired acoustic, electric and banjo mix topped off with cheery vocals and positive message on a track (like Believer, Home& Best Day of My Life) or using upbeat beats, and instrumentals along with cheerful sounding vocals to mask the dark lyrical meanings, similar to Jukebox The Ghost, (on the tracks Hit it and Luck) , I think this band has what it take to become the next big stars on the mainstream pop charts as well as a band that will and be accepted on the alternative and indie charts like fellow band Imagine Dragons. I would also like to mention that I will be starting a new music Friday series on my Instagram, quinja1992, this series will be separate from my video reviews and will feature new music from upcoming bands that I currently have on my iPod. The selected songs for most weeks will be within the Indie rock or Alternative genres because that is what I most enjoy, but that doesnt mean that I wont feature other new songs from different genres. Upcoming reviews include: 1. Lorde 2. Avenged Sevenfold 3. Queen of the Stone Age 4. Blue October 5. The Civil Wars 6. Anthony Green 7. Dr Dog 8. The Strokes 9. Luke Bryan 10. Tan Vampires 11. The 1975 12. Tom Odell 13. Imagine Dragons 14. Halestorm 15. Alter Bridge 16. Jet Gladstone 17. Eric Church 18. Tom Petty 19. Sound City Soundtrack 20. Guns N Roses 21. Jimmy Eat World 22. Theory of A Deadman 23. Moon Taxi 24. Grouplove 25. Sleeping With Silence 26. Blink-182 27. Blake Shelton 28. Black veil Brides 29. Aerosmith 30. Darius Rucker
3. 3. 31. Bon Jovi 32. The Neighborhood 33. Smallpools 34. Frank Ocean http://idobi.com/news/2013/10/album-review-american-authors-self-titled/ http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/newmusic/exec/albumreviews.asp?id=1386 http://glerbemu.blog.ca/2013/10/07/american-authors-ep-review-16502214/