Sounds from nature —songbirds, rain, lava—enrich Akron/Family’s music. In other cases, it has signalled a dearth of musical ideas. Here, it stokes imagination. An eruption blasts after the ringing guitars of “Fuji I (Global Dub),” which works as a climax to some cataclysm where avoiding lava flow is Job One. The narrative style and vigorous thrust in Birth of Shinju are worthy of early Flaming Lips or late King Crimson. The Oregon combo encourages you to conjure your own visuals, at least until some wise guy makes a movie. Lush moments nestle among tormented mixes and eccentric interplay. Figure it out if that’s your thing, but mostly listen
This article appears in Sep 15-21, 2011.