Atlas Sound

                                                          Parallax 

                                                           8.5/10

                                                        iPod Worthy

If you’re a big Deerhunter and Atlas Sound fan, you’re kind of lucky. Bradford Cox, the frontman of Deerhunter and mastermind behind the solo-act, Atlas Sound, is constantly turning out new music from both projects. And it’s not even filler, crappy or even mediocre music; the past few records Cox has helped create and shape have been stellar. Last year’s Halcyon Digest was a glorious LP full of rich tunes that proved to be some of the band’s best work. In 2009, Cox released Logos, and although I wasn’t as keen on it as I had been with his debut, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel, it was critically acclaimed and instantly loved by several fans. It seems everything Cox touches, turns to musical-gold and his King Midas legacy continues on his third full-length, Parallax.

Things are more grounded on Parallax and it seems as though Cox has really got his footing on most of these tracks. With Deerhunter you can expect a much more fuller sound with a lot of instrumentation and well constructed songs, but with an Atlas Sound LP things are more risky and Cox is doing what he wants, when he wants. Cox’s talent as musician shines through on the record; a lot of the songs are softer, dainty and timid here, which Cox pulls of immaculately but the other half of the album is tune after tune of almost campfire-sing-alongs. The first heavy hitter is the third track, “Te Amo,” an painful song (“You’re always down/ You’re always down/ Te Amo, I’ll pretend you were the only one) with a beautiful piano riff and Cox’s signature, stretched out vocals. “Mona Lisa” is another huge highlight and is a high tempo track with flowing acoustic guitars and Cox chanting the immediate hook “The Mona Lisa’s got you aah/ The Mona Lisa’s got you aah.” The song has an excellent build up two-thirds the way in where Cox coos “Your baby’s sleepin’, sleepin’” over and over.

“Angel is Broken,” another upbeat track, is a standout as well. Cox really gets into character here (perhaps the cheesy one on the LP’s cover) and you can tell he’s enjoying himself and singing the lyrics. Like the other intense songs, there is plenty of use of acoustic guitars, reverb and sound effects that are put to perfect use as Cox sings “Everywhere I look/ My angel is broken.” The closer “Lightworks” finishes the album off with technical ease - the last minute of the song is so catchy, rich and just fun. Cox belts out “aahs” and “oohs” while slamming away on his guitar, making you want to sing along right beside him.

Then there are songs like “Praying Man,” “Doldrums,” “Terra Incognita” and “Flagstaff.” These tracks are slower, detailed with excellent execution and precision. Every note is in order and every sound is placed just right. They are at Parallax’s core; binding the other songs together and make it a cohesive and stunning collection of songs. “Praying Man” is playful, “Doldrums” is what you’d expect it to be (one of the most depressing tracks on the LP and tells the story of a young boy going to Hell), “Terra Incognita” is simply pretty and “Flagstaff” is hypnotic.

However, the other few tracks on the record don’t shine through as the others. “Amplifiers” is decent but up against “Praying Man,” it falls a little short. There is a good song somewhere in “Modern Aquatic Nightsongs” but the track is a little too long and doesn’t deliver and the title track, “Parallax” is unfortunately, forgettable.

Nevertheless, Parallax is a satisfying album and lightyears better than Logos. There is no doubt that fans of Bradford Cox will be beyond pleased with his third effort and newcomers to his music could easily start here as a gateway into the Atlas Sound and Deerhunter World. Parallax offers us a number of great jams that are both uplifting and emotional - you feel the pain Cox feels but you also reach the same highs. He wears his emotions on his music, which gives listeners a vast range of connectability.

Listen to Atlas Sound’s “Te Amo” and “Lightworks” below:

te amo // atlas sound by sexmusic