Forms of the Good: Akron/Family Cover The Grateful Dead
I’d wanted to write about Akron/Family ever since their SXSW set at the Dead Oceans showcase left me waxing rhapsodic about their ability to successfully navigate the divide between the genius of the great jam bands (The Dead, The Allmans, Phish), vs. the fat-fingered indulgences of their single (brain) celled brethren. But props to Hidden Track, for providing me with the impetus: Akron’s cover of Dead staple, “I Know You Rider.”There are celestial harmonies, harmonica, banjos, and feathers in hats–though no one calls it macaroni.
I’m currently in the midst of writing an article about the Dead’s emergence as a touchstone in contemporary indie, with Animal Collective, Blitzen Trapper, Dr. Dog, and Akron, openly acknowledging the architects. But for my eighth’s worth, the Brooklyn by way of Pennsylvania trio, channels the lysergic efflorescence of Jerry & Co. better than any of their brethren, tugging at similar roots: folk, psychedelic rock, free jazz, afro-beat, delta blues, yet filtering them in a way that never feels pre-worn or familiar. Their latest album, Set ‘Em Wild, Set Em Free, might be their best yet, and certainly comes the closest to matching the high-wattage illumination of the live show. These guys are probably the best family since Sly, or at least Mo Thugs.
[Pre-Order: Akron/Family-Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free]
Download:
MP3: Akron/Family-”River”
MP3: Akron/Family-”Ed Is a Portal” (Left-Click)
MP3: The Grateful Dead-”I Know You Rider” (Live @ Carousel Ballroom, 1969)
Stumble It!
April 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Glad we could provide you with the inspiration. I’ve been wanting to post something on them for awhile too, this video seemed like a great way to introduce people to the band.
Definitely looking forward to reading that article.
Cheers-
April 16th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Great to hear you’re writing that Dead piece - look forward to reading it.
I was similarly moved to recently blog on “Grayfolded”, John Oswald’s (aka Plunderphonics) reconstructions of the mighty “Dark Star” which still sounds staggering to me.
Off to slam on “American Beauty” . Keep up the good work!
http://thedrumlessdrum.blogspot.vom/
April 16th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Of course, “I Know You Rider” is a traditional blues song that’s much older than the Dead. How much of a Dead cover is this song versus an interpretation of a well-known blues song?
LOVE the Akron Family interpretation btw - so happy you turned me on to it. Thanks!
JL
April 16th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Not sure, the Dead played so many renditions of this song, but I’m assuming they came to it via the Dead, judging from their jammy lineage and how ubiquitous it was in Dead shows. I counted 11 versions of it on my iTunes.