Librarians of Rock 'n' Roll: The Autumn Defense

It was an iTunes commercial that showed a flashing selection of pivotal album covers all coming down into one iPod. The message is clear: If you want a lot of music in your collection, iPod and iTunes bring it. (If you're a tad older, perhaps a more memorable image is the stack of CDs (or tapes) pictured on the Columbia House of BMG record club sign up cards--the promise of adding all of those CDs to your collection for 1¢ each).

Imagine, though, one album achieving that.

The Autumn Defense with their self-titled disc bring so many different elements into their music it is like having a whole library of classics. In fact, maybe John Stirratt and Patrick Sansone (Wilco) should be called the Librarians of Rock 'n' Roll, adept at researching what is out there and then compiling the best onto the shelves of their songs.

For their overall sound, the Autumn Defense has taken the swirl of 60's psychedelic rock, the harmonies and mood of the Byrds, and the rich pop layers of XTC. Then, though, on a song like "Feel You Now," they bring in an R&B-through-Van Morrison vibe while also reflecting Steve Winwood.


But sometimes it's the little things that grip you, that are able to work into your bloodstream with a desire to live within a song. "Canyon Arrow" does this some awesome jazz rock flute by Jim Hoke (the flute being another Van Morrison element circa Moondance) plus the infectious groove coming from such a small thing: a güiro. The racheting, rhythmic seals the deal that this song can propel you into a new world, lift your spirit, wrap you in incomparable thoughts, and send you looking for more.

Thanks to Autumn Defense and Broadmoor Records for the review CD.