... einfach wunderschöne, herrlich dahinperlende, herzwarme Musik der beiden Wilco-Musiker John Stirratt (schon seit Uncle Tupelo dabei) und Pat Sansone (seit 'Kicking TV - Live'). Beide teilen sich die Song- und Lead Vocal-Credits, wobei das meistens gemeinsam im perfekt aufeinander abgestimmten Team passiert. Stirratt spielt Gitarre, Sansone erweist sich mal wieder als kongenialer Multiinstrumentalist an akustischen & elektrischen Gitarren, Klavier, Orgel, Bass, mitunter etwas Percussion, Tablas, Cembalo, Clavinet u.a. Fest dazu gehören der bekannte Nashville Studiobassist Brad Jones und langjährige Tour-Drummer Greg Wiz. In kleinen Rollen hören wir Nels Cline (Lead Guitar), John Pirruccello (Steel), Jim Hoke (Flöte), Steve Tyska (Horns), Chris Carmichael (Strings). Besonders die geschmackvollen "Bedroom Pop"-Streicher vermitteln einen leicht orchestralen Touch, geraten aber nie aufdringlich (wie z.B. jüngst bei den Cowboy Junkies, wo sie das ganze Album zerstören). Bereits das 3. Autumn Defense-Album, da darf man also nicht mehr nur von einem Wilco-Nebenprojekt reden, sondern muss die Eigenständigkeit und Entwicklung seit 'The Green Hour' (01) und 'Circles' (03) unbedingt anerkennen!! Homogenstes Werk bislang, stimmungsmäßig vergleichbar mit den melancholischen, nachdenklichen Anteilen von 'Circles' und auch mit der ruhigen Grundatmosphäre von Wilco's 'Sky Blue Sky'. Die luftigen, mitunter dezent jazzigen, leise arrangierten 60/70er Westcoast/Soft Rock-Elemente und die durchweg dominanten Harmony Vocals-Glanztaten erinnern an Love, David Crosby, Bread, Simon & Garfunkel, Left Banke, Association, 'Notorious'-Byrds...
(Glitterhouse)
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It's easy to tag the Autumn Defense as a band striving to re-create the sun-splashed sound of the classic California folk-rock and chamber pop albums of the '60s and early '70s, but while their musical influences are clear, the truth is that Patrick Sansone and John Stirratt have delivered an album every bit as satisfying and beautiful as the artists they've followed with their self-titled third release. The Autumn Defense is a rich and mature collection of songs that sparkle with melodic beauty without ignoring the more difficult emotions that are often part and parcel of commitment; thankfully devoid of self-pity or a deluded joy, these songs speak of passion and experience in equal portions, and the superb arrangements and crisp, nearly flawless playing bring forward the impassioned material with inspired accuracy. As songwriters, Sansone and Stirratt deliver their strongest work to date on The Autumn Defense, and Sansone's production is lush without sounding excessive, as a superb ensemble of musicians (among them Nels Cline, Brad Jones, and Jim Hoke) weave superb textures around the melodies. The result is an album that wouldn't have sounded out of place coming from Elektra Records in 1970, but The Autumn Defense isn't an act of nostalgia for an era these musicians are too young to have been part of; instead, Sansone, Stirratt, and their collaborators have embraced the sound of a previous era and used it as a creative stepping stone into the present, and the finished product is truly timeless music with superb craft and plenty of heart. Simply put, The Autumn Defense is a triumph and one of the most impressive albums of the year.
(by Mark Deming, All Music Guide)
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