The American Analog Set

Rumours abound that The American Analog Set are about to reform and play some new live dates for the first time in over five years….but then this rumour has been following Austin, Texas’ finest around since they took a rather extended hiatus following their Set Free album in 2005. AmAnSet are sadly missed purely because they make wonderful music. Through six records the band, led by the brilliant song writer Andrew Kenny made albums based around brushed drums, gentle but motorik Krautrock grooves, plenty of xylophone and glock and the warm hum of the Farfisa organ. Kenny’s soft voice was never overcrowded, even when the band turned up the volume; traditionally the first song on “side two” of any AmAnSet record was a short rocker, showing the band could play loud if the mood took them. Despite the fragile nature of this music, it always worked live.’On My Way’ has a gentle, lolloping rhythm that never outstays its welcome despite pushing the ten minute mark, ‘Gone to Earth’ has a vibraphone shimmer that’s simply gorgeous and when the volume needs turned up I do remember the thrash of ‘Promise of Love’ (track one, side two of the album of the same name) coming as a pleasant surprise back in the day. A wonderful band, the hope is a long-awaited reissue of Know By Heart is the catalyst for this lot getting back out on the road again.