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Billed as a concept album about Sacramento, California,
An Angle’s sophomore offering
is possibly the most exciting thing to occur in
the Golden State’s capital city since the
Bones Brigade’s Tommy Guerrero won the Sacto
skate jam back in the ‘80s. It’s hard
to determine if the constant references to alcohol
are a nod to Sacramento’s only worthwhile
pastime, or simply a poet waxing romantic about
his most dear libation.
Take the disc’s first track “Green
Water,” a fitting introduction to Kris Anaya’s
straightforward folk sensibilities: “The
music career is killing my liver/ so let’s
take the train out of the town.” Between
this opening, the title of the album, We
Can Breathe Under Alcohol, and countless
other references to distilled liquids, a pattern
seems to be established.
But lest ye be fooled, the seemingly singular
focus is merely a byproduct of Anaya’s dedication
to keeping it real. Yes, there are sober moments,
and AA-approved meanderings into the world of
faith and love. Musically, the oft-somber vocals
lift up thanks to precise-yet-effortless arrangements
and instrumentation, which guide the listener
into a world that’s neither indie-stale
or larger-than-life pop. In total, these elements
conspire to produce a take-it-as-you-like-it package
that has made believers out of fans of Wilco and
Beck (sans electro-lounge).
If not for the painful consciousness of “Born
in a Bottle,” this Jeff Tweedy-esque breakdown
comes dangerously close to sacrificing the first
half of the album and dragging it into territory
where few can relate or escape. Yet that’s
the glimmer of genius in Anaya’s the-world-be-damned
perspective and the success of an album that jumps
in, falls down, aches, rots, crawls out of its
hole and finds its way back home.
Although new light often fades as quickly as
it ignites the sky, it’s safe to say that
Anaya’s latest effort could someday be remembered
as the beginning of yet another long, tortured
and beautiful career (liver health notwithstanding).
www.ananglemusic.com
www.drivethrurecords.com
Dave Hauke, June 17, 2005
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