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autoauto theskiesareyourhuntingground
Artist: Auto-Auto
Title: The Skies Are Your Hunting Ground
Genre: Synth Pop
Release Date: 8th February 2013
Label: Out Of Line


EP Review

Sweden has always been fertile ground for electronic music and Pop, so no surprise that numerous Synth Pop bands spring from this country in Europe's north. The trio AUTO-AUTO is one of these many acts, and it is safe to say that they are one of the weirder ones of the bunch. Founded in 2004 in Gothenburg, AUTO-AUTO by and by left standard Synth Pop and EBM paths over the years to create a stranger and more daring version of these styles. This didn't always work, hence their three albums so far were rather a mixed bag of great, surprising moments and songs where the band operated below their potential, which is undeniably there.

The new EP 'The Skies Are Your Hunting Ground' marks a leap in terms of songwriting and production for AUTO-AUTO. On these 5 tracks the band ultimately leaves standard Synth Pop behind them and deliver a vibrant, organic and diversified advancement of their signature sound. AUTO-AUTO like to expand their horizon and to be off the beaten track. Something which probably doesn't make it easier for them to reach wider audiences, as too many people seem to prefer stuff according to standard formulas these days. Anyway, AUTO-AUTO offer a kick-ass production, great songs, interesting sounds and the strong vocals of Erik Frankel. In 'Yellow Streak' there are even BEACH BOY-ish vocal harmonies before the song erupts in a beseeching chorus.

‘Opportunities Lost' on the other hand is a pretty straight-forward Pop song and probably the hottest candidate for a club hit from this collection of songs. The piano-driven opener 'Weekender' is pretty dancy as well but might irritate dancers with its many beaks and changes of tempo. The title track of the EP starts with a 70s organ and as a rather moody affair but quickly accelerates the tempo to pass into another highly catchy chorus, complete with falsetto backing vocals and more 70s Soul flavour, before AUTO-AUTO show again their love for breaks and tempo changes. This is far more than Synth Pop by numbers! This is simply Pop – in its sophisticated, mature and skilful manifestation.

AUTO-AUTO will release this EP via Out Of Line but interestingly also as a FREE download via the band's homepage, complete with a remix kit for all hobby remixers and fellow musicians. This brings them full points in the “Extras” section of the rating! A quite wonderful release, let's hope that AUTO-AUTO will be able to keep up this level of quality on their forthcoming album!


Tracklist

01. Weekender (3:56)
02. Opportunities Lost (4:00)
03. The Skies Are Your Hunting Ground (4:28)
04. The Wish (3:00)
05. Yellow Streak (5:43)


Line-up

Erik Frankel - vocals, synthesizers, bass, guitar, noise
Elliott Berlin - synthesizers, backing vocals, bass, noise
Johan Hellqvis - synthesizers, backing vocals, noise


Website

http://auto-auto.se / http://www.facebook.com/autoautose/


Cover Picture

autoauto theskiesareyourhuntingground


Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: 10
Total: 9 / 10





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