The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features
Best of Boston 2009

The Autumn Defense

The Autumn Defense | Broadmoor
By MIKAEL WOOD  |  March 12, 2007
2.5 2.5 Stars
070316_inside_autumn
An amiable soft-rock duo comprising two members of Wilco, bassist John Stirratt and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, the Autumn Defense provide a refuge for alt-country traditionalists vexed by Wilco’s increasing artiness. On their third full-length, the Chicago-based Stirratt and Sansone never allow their fondness for studio-geek texture to obscure a balmy melodic sense derived from old Carpenters and Steely Dan records; where Jeff Tweedy embroiders tidy Dust Bowl jangle with shards of big-city guitar noise, these two are happy to let mellowness linger. That doesn’t mean they aren’t canny arrangers: opener “Canyon Arrow” rides a tasty yacht-rock groove complete with airy flute trills, and the wistful vocal harmonies in “Winterlight” channel the pensive folk-rock vibe of classic Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. But as the product of two guys who probably don’t get a lot of songwriting ideas past Boss Tweedy, this disc is a showcase for some undervalued compositional chops.

The Autumn Defense + The Singleman Affair + Jennifer Jackson | Middle East upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge | March 20 | 617.864.EAST
Related: The Big Hurt: Brand new Dio; same old Yoko; auguries of Creed, Rising sun, Drum talk, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Alternative and Indie Rock, Entertainment, Jeff Tweedy,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

--> -->
ARTICLES BY MIKAEL WOOD
Share this entry with Delicious

 See all articles by: MIKAEL WOOD

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group