| New York City duo the American Dollar conjure heaven, earth and the great
unknown on their fourth full-length album, Atlas - an artistic collection of
expansive instrumental works that fuse ambient electronica with post-rock
eruptions and classical touches. John Emanuele and Richard Cupolo compose their
emotive soundscapes wielding instruments including keyboards, drums, guitar and
electronics that - even without a voice to top it off - manage to sing in their
own right. The pair steer songs in many directions, evoking both the big calm of
Sigur Ros - as in "Equinox" and "Second Sight," which begin as ethereal
piano-based ballads - and also the grandiose rock of Explosions in the Sky, as
on "Flood" with its soaring squalls of guitar.
It's the small details creeping into the mix that really bring the songs to
life; the delicate tinker of xylophone sounds on "Fade In Out" or the throbbing
crackles of percussion and synth haze of "Red Letter." Layers of head-nodding
and sometimes breakneck-pace drums grace many songs on the album and make them
rock in an unexpected way, as on the standout "Age of Wonder."
Atlas is a passionate work, with Emanuele and Cupolo's songs unlocking a
range of emotions as wide as their musical palette. And with no words to clutter
up song meanings, they leave interpretation up to the listener. This is the type
of album to get lost in your thoughts - and introspection never had such a
fantastic soundtrack. (Yesh Music)
http://www.myspace.com/americandollarband
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