Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
Staff IconAlways the Runner - An August Golf (Cover Artwork)

Always the Runner

An August Golf (2005)
Velora

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Brian
(
others by this writer | submit your own
)


Published on April 7th 2006


Always the Runner's self-titled EP was quite the surprise when it was sent to me back in the summer of 2004. On the cover were some birds flying in the sky, a rainbow, and a leaping deer amongst other aspects of nature against a sky blue backdrop. This could've meant anything, so I was glad to receive a number of gentle, dreamy instrumental songs. The full-length followup here features the same type of artwork in an autumn sense, with birds perched on a tree branch and a setting sun in the background, so I suppose it makes sense that An August Golf hasn't altered their ways all that much. They're still providing super upbeat, atmospheric post-rock, but maybe with more vocals this time around.

The band is still most certainly taking cues from the happiest Appleseed Cast moments. The songs weave in and out of careful chords and soft drum rolls, these of which are most evident in "You're Jumping Across Mountains." The song also carries on a few xylophone taps quite effectively as it begins to slowly break down. Things pick up temporary steam in its follower, "I Thought I'd Find You Here." "The Closest I Ever Came to Lightning" is a bit repetitive at some of its portions, but works as nice background noise at worst. There's some classy piano work in "An August Golf, Pt. 1," but it's most effective in "Pt. 2;" while birds chirp in the background, heart-wrenching strokes drop one by one.

Last time around, the first and last track contained the soothing call of Chad Favre, and if I'm not mistaken, he again handles the minimal sung lines on An August Golf. Here it's on the opener "Miles," and on the second-to-last track, "Something Important Happened in Falls Church;" Favre sounds frail in an endearing way on this one; it works, simply, as well as the low, gravelly females singing in unison with him at the mid-point. It also closes with some of the heavier guitars they've ever employed.

Overall, it doesn't seem Always the Runner has manipulated their formula all that much. Again, if you're looking for a beautiful 42 minutes of instrumental music that can lull you to sleep in only the best of ways, check it out.

MP3
Miles

STREAM
You're Jumping Across Mountains
An August Golf, Pt. 1
Should a Bear Interrupt Your Picnic




People who liked this also liked:
Coalesce - OxLipona - PigeonholedUsed Kids - Yeah No [12 inch]We Were Promised Jetpacks - These Four WallsLion of Judah - (Number-rology) [7 inch]Touché Amoré - ...To the Beat of a Dead Horse [12 inch]Sakes Alive!! - Act II [7 inch]Balance and Composure - Only Boundaries [12 inch]The Golden Age - Unlock YourselfBearings - Bearings [7 inch]

Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.
    logan (April 11, 2006)

    I fucking love Golf. To find out this cd was not related to the sport in any way, shape or form left me thoroughly dissapointed.

    danperrone (April 9, 2006)

    hahaha fuck that, being too punk rock to play sports

    playing sports is awesome

    kindofalongwaydown (April 9, 2006)

    If Brett Favre plays or not the pack is sure to suck next season. They denied Favre's request for a full time wide reciever. I would tell them to fuck right off.

    Anonymous (April 8, 2006)

    Chad Favre should tell his brother to make up his fucking mind.

    rkl (April 8, 2006)

    dan perrone: its not punk rock to play sports.
    i was the only person at my private high school who listened to punk, i also played football, baseball, basketball, and tennis. guess i sold out at an early age.

    Anonymous (April 7, 2006)

    What about Brett Fah-ahv-reh?

    danperrone (April 7, 2006)

    i never understood what was wrong with a jock aside from the fact that some of them are sorta dumb

    sirens (April 7, 2006)

    golf is for jocks

    Anonymous (April 7, 2006)

    Thier first EP was amazing, and i'm sure this is too. The music itself sounds like Low level owl type appleseed cast.

    danperrone (April 7, 2006)

    golf is such an awesome, awesome sport

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool