Album Review - Akron/Family: "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free"

Akron/Family's last album 'Love Is Simple' had some songs I really enjoyed, but it didn't hold together enough to keep me interested in the album as a whole. The musicianship left a little to be desired, and on several occasions threatened to collapse under the weight of its own earnest ambitions. With 'Set 'Em Wild...' they make a decided step forward in all elements of their presentation--tighter playing, more cohesive continuity--providing firmer support for their lofty ambitions, and (thankfully) shedding a little of the neo-hippy semi-improvisational approach (a la Feathers and Devandra Banhart) that flavored much of 'Love Is Simple.' It's still there a little bit, but a more controlled experimental, studio production aesthetic takes center stage on 'Set 'Em Wild...', Akron/Family's best album to date. 7/10

Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free - A...