New Music Review: Atlas Sound “Logos”

The best singer/songwriters, the ones who last, have always set themselves apart by an unwillingness to become static in their musical approach. Anything they find inspirational – a new genre, an obscure single, an obtuse musical philosophy – can be made their own without sounding contrived or sacrificing elements of their musical identity. On Logos, his second solo effort under the Atlas Sound name, Bradford Cox of Deerhunter has revealed himself to be just this sort of shape-shifting songwriter.

However, contrary to previous musical chameleons like David Bowie or David Byrne, Cox does not slowly change his sound from one album to the next but rather completely evolves and re-evolves between tracks on a single album. Which would make Logos seem more like a mixtape than a proper studio album if it wasn’t for the emotional vulnerability Cox weaves into each song.

From the first track Logos is special. Cox begins with a slow, somber number which could be the soundtrack to a LSD-induced dream that first draws you in with a curious, droning melody and holds you captive with its swirling collage of found sounds. Cox then smoothly transitions  into “An Orchid” where he scales the experimentation to reveal folky acoustic strums followed by airy yet penetrating vocals and eventually adds hazy guitar leads rooted firmly in the shoegaze style of Ride or Slowdive.

On the album’s highlight “Walkabout,” which features Noah “Panda Bear” Lennox of Animal Collective sharing vocal duties and a wonderfully addictive organ sample from the Dovers’ 1965 track “What Am I Going to Do,” Cox somehow crams the sunny disposition of a 60′s garage pop song into an odd arrangement of trip hop beats and floating harmonies. Besides being an instant classic, “Walkabout” is also a glimpse into an artist capable of taking the simple and producing the sublime.

Likewise, on the equally irresistible and fellow standout “Shelia,” Cox  forms a cynical, gorgeous lo-fi pop ballad utilizing few repetitive chord changes, the most minimal of percussion and a well-timed shift in tempo. But what really sets “Shelia” apart, and Atlas Sound for that matter, is Cox’s direct and honest lyrical work, emotionally complex in its depiction of the human experience. When Cox almost sweetly coos “…we’ll die alone together ” he touches on something universal, creating a feeling that could inspire, depending on your place in life, a smile, sadness or the cursing of life’s absurdities. Cox manages similar lyrical feats on the raw and arresting waltz of “My Halo” and the strangely uplifting sing along “Criminals.”

On “Quick Canal,” Logos’ second collaboration, Lætitia Sadier of Stereolab writes the lyrics and sings lead, which explains why the song sounds so much like…well, Stereolab. It starts off with a slowly emerging organ riff before the steady beat ushers in a krautrock bass riff and rising tide of guitar feedback which eventually takes control midway through the nearly nine minute track. Still, Cox is able to leave his fingerprints all over “Quick Canals,” looping layered sounds and manipulated vocal accents between the doses of white noise.

Logos contains other flashes of brilliance, like the neo-psychedelic garage rock of the title track and battered version of freak folk found on “Attic Lights,” but it’s not a flawless record. “Washington School” never gains much momentum and relies too heavily on laptop production that may be well-done but does little to make the song memorable. Some will be bothered by Cox’s voice, which is somewhat limited and often enhanced with effects, while others could find issue in the level of musicianship (or lack there of). True, these are fair criticisms but not really the point of Brandon Cox’s music.

Because for Cox music is about connections – the link between a new influence and a new song, between himself and his collaborators and most importantly the bond he’s dedicated to forging with his audience in the span of a three to four minute song. This is what makes Atlas Sound’s Logos seem familiar in so many ways yet retain a sense of unique achievement, the next step for one of the most innovative post-millennial songwriters.

More info about Logos can be found through Kranky