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Too happy? A. A. Bondy's album can bring you back down. |
BY SARAH KEITH
A.A. Bondy has that interesting mix of soul-infused singing, picky folk-influenced guitar and strange lyrics that make his sophomore record, "When the Devil's Loose," an interesting and rewarding listen.
Immediately, images of Jose Gonzalez and Ray LaMontagne come to mind, but as one gets further into the album, Bondy's individual style becomes more and more clear, lending a familiar air to something fresh.
Released Sept. 1, this album, though lyrics may be happy in meaning, rings with disappointment, despair and a strange reluctance.
Arguably the happiest song, "Oh the Vampire," still drags sluggishly, like a whimsical song after a hard day's work. The intentionally unhappy songs reek of unfulfilled expectations and a seeming inexplicable misery, lending themselves for use as background music rather than intentional focus.
For a majority of the songs, Bondy sings, accompanied by a bass and a guitar.
However, for "The Coal Hits the Fire," a song seemingly inspired by the Asian sounds a guitar can make, and the title track, he is joined by drums, piano and violin. The difference is measurable, if not in attitude then in sheer polish.
The specially produced songs have an air of more time put in, more intentional decisions, overall better product, and were certainly the most pleasurable to listen to.
Most of the songs fade into one another as the CD progresses, and it takes a special concentration to realize when one has ended and another has begun because of the similar nature of the accompaniment.
The guitar is either softly strummed or picked, always in the same pattern it seems, going on and on, melding seamlessly with the new beat and lyrics presented in each song.
The bass is always low and moaning, another reminder of the sad undertone of this album. Perhaps it is seriousness, not solemnity that is intended, but the air is heavy and the world seems just a little more bleak when listening to it.
This would be an excellent album for someone who needs to cool down and center himself, or for the happy-go-lucky who needs a bit of dragging back to earth. Maybe having more listeners will make Bondy happy.
Sarah Keith is a junior
