In the spirit of bluegrass, gathered around one mic, AgesandAges lay out folk-influenced American Rock that’s full of hooks, 60’s pop rock gems, and folky charm. Harmonies and gang vocals heighten your experience, calling you to learn the lyrics and chime in yourself, getting caught up with the choir so that the congregation can’t help but sing along.

As I said about the Eulogies, for AgesandAges there’s also a lot of well-placed handclaps. Consider the title track from Alright You Restless with its clapping bringing out the hooks in the rhythm of the song. (See below for the video of band recorded live). “So So Freely” gallops along urging everyone to find a way to clap along, to get caught up in the incredibly inviting song.

The album opens with “No Nostalgia,” with its laid back sway, handclaps, and harmonies sneaking up on you until it breaks down in a more urgent way. “Under a Cloud Shaped Like a Tomb” has hints of Western film scores even as glides over the hills of a country road. Then there’s the indie folk rock of “These Elbows” hearkening back to the nasally whine of a Violent Femmes ballad. Closing out Alright You Restless is the 6/8 march of “Souvenir,” singing out into the night with acoustic guitars setting the stage, the percussion drumming up the intensity, and electric guitar accenting the space with sizzle and flash.

AgesandAges
Knitting Factory Records