I was fresh out of college and into the working world when An Awesome Wave came out in 2012 and can still vividly remember this album encapsulating my feelings at the time– wistful nostalgia for friends left behind and the hope of what life had in store. Listening ten years later, there’s still something about alt-J that feels very “college” to me— perhaps it’s the sense of exploration that permeates each song and flows like the breeze from one moment to another. There’s a freedom here that is undeniable, a willingness to take a chance on something new and ultimately be comfortable with the end result no matter what happens. I’ve always appreciated that in people. I certainly appreciate that in alt-J.
Figuring out the math of what makes An Awesome Wave work so damn well is more calculus than addition. There are so many elements that make this album gratifying— Joe Newman’s marble mouthed vocals and lovely guitar hooks, Gwil Sainsbury’s round bass tone, Gus Unger-Hamilton’s flair for dramatic atmospherics with his keyboard.
But for all the wonderful colors found on this album, not one of them is more critical than the palette of drummer Thom Sonny Green. Green is the canvas that the rest of the band paints on, the sturdy backbone of relentless eclectic machinery. His tempo changes and instincts are incredible– it’s one of those rare albums where listening to the drums solo’d would be an enjoyable experience. The fact that Green uses no cymbals (absolutely zero) on this album is also an interesting footnote. I can’t think of another album that features this much percussion without using cymbals, and it’s striking when you first notice it. He’s effectively a modern day survivalist who uses every piece of his drum kit, letting no technique or sound go to waste.
This is art rock at its finest.
Standout Songs: “Tessellate”, “Dissolve Me”, “Ms”, “Something Good”, “Taro”
