Paul Aucoin has found the limit to his main instrument, the
vibraphone. With this third record from The Hylozoists, its sound is
pretty much played out. In a pop/rock context, the vibes (and related
percussive instruments, such as marimba) weren’t meant to carry this
much weight—best playing role as accent—and end up getting
emotionally flattened. No matter the key or arrangement, the
instrument’s shimmering, airy nature glosses the songs with a sameness;
unintended, no doubt, but undeniable. Interest is piqued when other
instruments take the lead, such as acoustic guitar on “Acadia Acadia.”
Diversification is needed to sustain interest. Sean Flinn
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2009.