Akron/Family was an American freak folk and psychedelic rock band that was formed in New York in 2002, and lasted until 2013 when band members decided to focus on their side projects. Recently, the band came to my attention when an original member, Miles Seaton, died at the age of 41 last month in February of 2021. This album, Meek Warrior (2006), was the group’s third official studio album. According to Wikipedia, the psychedelic folk album was relatively well received. I’m pretty excited to finally give this band a listen, so with that said, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Blessing Force” starts out with a really groovy primal rhythm that sounds like it could be out of a drums/space segment of a Grateful Dead show, especially as the spacey guitars and synths come into the soundscape, making the track feel increasingly uncomfortable, shamanic, and groovy. Oh wow, the majority of the instrumentation, save for a quick, steady and sturdy beat, falls away in favor of many vocal jams that seem to occur simultaneously. Oh wow, the tune seems to have dropped into place in a super groovy psychedelic rock jam that I’m really digging. Oh wow, the psychedelic rock part segues into something that sounds like a song pulled from a rainforest from a lost location in the world, and I’m really digging the result. Holy smokes, the track gets into really experimental territory suddenly, and is moving me further and further onto the edge of my seat to a point where I’m basically no longer seated. Holy smokes, the experimental chaos has resolved to something that feels like a melodic blend of the experimental section with the rainforest section. Holy smokes, a squeaky saxophone has entered the song as the instrumentation seems to be building up tension and getting back into increasingly experimental territory. Wow, I’m really digging this track at the moment, as the song almost feels reminiscent of Miles Davis’ album, Bitches Brew (1970). Great tune, and I’m looking forward to the next tracks.
Holy smokes, “Gone Beyond” begins with some delicate acoustic folk guitar accompanied by a gliding bass line and some percussion that harken back to the previous track with the shamanic flavors. I’m really digging this track so far. This track almost reminds me a bit of some late 1960s British folk revival music with a particular shamanic and psychedelic inflection. Wow, great track.
“Meek Warrior” begins with some light chimes and some quick strumming of a guitar that seems to gently rain notes into the soundscape around the wind chimes. Oh wow, the track mellows out into more of a folk tune near the end. Super sweet tune.
“No Space In This Realm” begins with some mellow vocals and what sound to be some light bass or possibly keyboards. Oh wow, this track has gotten back into a shamanic sort of sound similar to the first track, except in a much mellower manner that’s almost as if the band is guiding you down a psychedelic river of some sort. Wow, super sweet track.
“The Lightning Bolt of Compassion” starts out with some delicate acoustic folk guitar, and is soon joined by some very gentle vocals. Oh wow, the lyrics aren’t in English, and I can’t tell by ear or find online what language they might be in. Regardless of the language of the lyrics, they are delivered in such a way alongside the guitar that you can’t help but be put at ease. Super sweet tune.
“The Rider (Dolphin Song)” starts out with some dissonant sound effects before gradually getting into a sort of primal groove with the beat of the drums and the distorted guitar work. I’m really digging this track so far. I really dig the chaotic energy in this track so far that seems to build on the shamanic primalism from earlier in the track. Oh wow, the chaos near the end of the track almost makes me think of “Revolution 9” by The Beatles. Wow, great track.
“Love and Space” has a very mellow beginning with some gentle chords in the background while a super sweet vocal harmony from the band gradually envelopes the entire soundscape. This song is a super pleasant way to wrap up the album, especially at night before going to bed. Wow, great tune and a great way to end the listening experience of this album.
Wow, I’m glad I finally checked out Akron/Family. This particular album was an incredibly shamanic psychedelic journey with chaos, distortion, and primalism laced between gentle folk songs that lead to a unique listening experience. If you’re into shamanic psychedelic music at all and also dig folk music, you might want to consider checking out this album. If you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A