{"id":767,"date":"2013-03-27T18:30:16","date_gmt":"2013-03-27T22:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=767"},"modified":"2013-03-27T19:40:05","modified_gmt":"2013-03-27T23:40:05","slug":"atlas-genius-releases-first-album","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=767","title":{"rendered":"Atlas Genius releases first album"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted March 27, 2013<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By MELISSA CASTILLO<\/p>\n

Atlas Genius recently joined the alternative music scene from down under in 2011.<\/p>\n

\"atlasgenius\"<\/a>The Australian indie rock band began by playing cover songs by The Beatles, The Police, and The Rolling Stones at local bars, while they constructed their own recording studio on the side.<\/p>\n

Just a couple years later it was No. 4 on Billboard\u2019s Alternative Songs list with the hit \u201cTrojans.\u201d<\/p>\n

The main line is so simple and yet so difficult to shake, \u201cYour trojans in my head.\u201d This is followed by similar harmonies heard in the majority of the group\u2019s equally catchy songs.<\/p>\n

With \u201cTrojans\u201d still holding ground at the top of the list as No. 7, Atlas Genius has quickly become part of the new wave of indie bands. This includes alternative groups that formed in the past few years, such as Imagine Dragons and Foster the People. Their commonalities are the whimsical tunes, with simple and somewhat ambiguous lyrics, balanced with some slow paced songs.<\/p>\n

Atlas Genius\u2019s originality is its distinct 1980s pop influence. This includes Keith Jeffrey on guitar, his brothers Michael on drums and Steven on bass, and their friend Darren Sell on keyboard. Their instrumentation is complemented by the contemporary rock style of Keith\u2019s soothing, addicting voice.<\/p>\n

Atlas Genius\u2019s EP, “Through the Glass,” was instantaneously popular in the alternative scene back in August 2012. It was only natural to have high hopes for its first album, “When It Was Now,” recently released on Feb. 19.<\/p>\n

Despite the band\u2019s talent and potential, expectations were set too high. Some of the best songs on the album are those that were already released on the EP, including \u201cTrojans,\u201d \u201cBack Seat,\u201d and \u201cSymptoms.\u201d And while these songs have not lost their appeal, the majority of their new songs, including \u201cAll These Girls\u201d and \u201cDon\u2019t Make a Scene,\u201d share too many similarities.<\/p>\n

The primary reason for this is because Keith\u2019s voice is an ideal mixture of Ben Gibbard\u2019s from Death Cab for Cutie and Jesse Lacey\u2019s from Brand New, but he failed to deliver variety. Both of these alternative bands peaked in the early 2000s and released a variety of successful songs.<\/p>\n

Gibbard has an overall slow and melodious voice, while Lacey\u2019s voice tends to be louder and dominant. Yet, each of their voices has reached other sides of the vocal spectrum. Keith needs to prove he can use more than just the similar pitch in every song.<\/p>\n

Before it\u2019s realized that there isn\u2019t much variety in this album, the songs are enjoyable, especially the first track \u201cElectric.\u201d Electronic, 1980s sounds resonate as the memorable line \u201cwe could fall,\u201d joyously repeats throughout the song. It\u2019s the sort of tune to listen to at the beginning of a roller coaster when it\u2019s inching towards the top and building suspense. Head bobbing and the urge to dance are uncontrollable.<\/p>\n

This upbeat mood continues with the following track, \u201cIf so.\u201d<\/p>\n

The transition into the next song, \u201cBack Seat,\u201d shows that there was thought put into the organization of the album tracks. The ambiance is changed in a subtle way by slightly slowing down the pace. The keyboard notes remain upbeat in the background, while Keith\u2019s voice relaxes.<\/p>\n

Also, the lyrics are somber in comparison to the previous songs. There\u2019s imagery such as, \u201cWords like knives that no longer cut.\u201d As well as thoughtful lines such as, \u201cWe\u2019re complicated but we\u2019re as simple as we wanted to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

A similar song is \u201cThrough the Glass.\u201d This is the slowest out of the band\u2019s 11 tracks and the best of its new songs. \u201cThrough the Glass\u201d portrays the songwriting skills that tend to get lost in typical four-word chorus\u2019s in other tracks. The metaphors in this song allude to the human condition of oblivious ignorance, such as the first line, \u201cI thought you\u2019d see me through the glass but you only caught your reflection.\u201d And even finer lines, \u201cWe\u2019re dressed up like humans\/Like we know who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

In between the two somber songs of the album, \u201cBack Seat\u201d and \u201cThrough the Glass,\u201d is the track that brought Atlas Genius to stardom, \u201cTrojans.\u201d There\u2019s certainly a reason why it\u2019s so popular. It\u2019s incredibly catchy. Essentially, it\u2019s a delightful balance between the mellow mood of \u201cThrough the Glass\u201d and the lively personality of \u201cElectric.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rhythm of Keith\u2019s voice creates the sensation of walking through a field of dandelions, with arms swaying in the wind, and face lifted towards the sun. The only downside is that it has been overplayed.<\/p>\n

The appeal of the album disappears after these few songs. The second half seems rehashed and is basically a cheaper version of their better work. Although Atlas Genius certainly has musical talent, but it needs to add some variety instead of trying to make versions of already popular songs.<\/p>\n