It's not easy being easy. Combustible Edison, My Life Story, the Cardigans …
multitudes of hip young alterna-swingers have gone for an easy-listening vibe
of late, and ended up choking on their own ironic context.
Acetone make a sound that's easy - naturally. Steering clear of leisure suits
and bossa nova, they simply let their smooth, downtempo vibes put the spike in
your cocktail glass, and before you know it, it's Sunday morning.
They've drawn Velvets comparisons, but the only relevant reference point on
this album may be, erm, "Sunday Morning." Acetone is less drone-rock than
dream-rock, and the soporific pace and drowsy feel don't let up on this album.
But that's a good thing: songs like "Might As Well," "Waltz," "Another Minute"
and "So Slow" need to take their time.
So while you can hardly expect immediacy from Acetone, these songs richly
reward repeated listenings. When the slide guitar drifts in on "All You Know,"
phrases like "classic Burrito Brothers" even come to mind. But while country
rock has its place on this album, there's no template - no formula - for the
Acetone sound. You suspect they could throw in piccolo trumpets and breakbeats
and still sound like...Acetone. And chemistry like that doesn't come easy.
If you like Acetone, check out:
Mazzy Star She Hangs Brightly
Radar Bros. The Singing Hatchet
The Flying Burrito Brothers The Gilded Palace of Sin
Jesus and Mary Chain Stoned and Dethroned
Pink Floyd Meddle
-- jf
at a glance...
