Noah Gundersen’s Family was a difficult EP to break into. For the first few listens, I remained outside of the album, a passenger along for the ride, incapable of understanding its true message. But its intriguing complexity kept bringing me back. While I can attribute its magnetism to some combination of confident song writing, soaring melodies, and meaningful lyrics; it all boils down to the album simply being an engaging, heartfelt experience.
Family is a strong, unwavering indie-folk record. Armed with only a guitar and sister on violin, Noah’s subtle vocal work speaks volumes to the stories found in each piece. His undeniable presence places you right there next to him, as if you were part of the making of the record, part of the Family. Lyrically, the album does carry some religious undertones, though they serve more as a backbone than a soapbox.
The album fires off with the blues-influenced “David”, the quickest, thickest, and most technical track of the six. Though he begins the EP in this manner, the remainder doesn’t quite carry such a tempo. Instead, Noah moves along at a deliberate, human pace that breathes more comfortably with his own rhythm.
Reminiscent of AA Bondy and David Bazan, Noah’s minimalistic style fits Family beautifully. Sparse soundscapes complement the sentiment that he so carefully paints with his lyrics. But don’t take my word for it. Go find out for yourself.
Stand out tracks:
“David”
“San Antonio Fading”
“Garden”
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Take a listen to my home-brewed instrumental/electronic/indie album
"Where Were We When" and download it for as many coconuts as you can spare.
Coconuts are delicious, though their milk tastes like pond water.
Like this music? Check out some related artists we've covered:
- Jay William Henderson – The Sun Will Burn Our Eyes
- The Klenners – Road Trip Sessions
- Lisa LeBlanc – Lisa LeBlanc
2 comments
alia says:
May 31, 2012
to me Family #7, is the ‘stand out track’… so human.
arkarsenal says:
May 31, 2012
I was going to list that one too, but I might as well have just put all seven tracks up there. It is all around such a solid album.