Dehyper: Atlas Sound

Dehyper is a feature that highlights bands and albums that don't really match up to their growing reputations.

On today's mix...
Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (2008)

As a gay virgin afflicted with Marfan Syndrome, Bradford Cox makes for an intriguing indie figure, and his Stefani-ish lyrical obsession with Deerhunter bandmate Lockett Pundt only adds to the equation. Unfortunately, unlike Stefani, personality is less relevant on his solo project Atlas Sound. There's very little wrong with the project's debut full-length, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel, but its universal acclaim is hardly befitting of such a slight album. At best, it's a terrific record for "relaxation time" background. As Cox himself has indicated, this was a largely improvised record, and it shows: there's rarely much going on within these tracks other than a whole lotta reverb and loops. Though Cox creates plenty of engaging atmospheres, there's not much songcraft to speak of, and the end result is that these songs are never quite as evocative as they wish to be. Atlas Sound does a lot to signify Cox's enormous talent, but there's little to show for it once this ephemeral record ends. For better or worse, it's the indie Pure Moods.

6/10