Track Listing

1. Born on the Cusp
2. Immaculate Heart 1
3. Immaculate Heart 2
4. Cool Kids Keep
5. She's Half
6. JR
7. Play Hurt
8. (Theme from) Everything Ends
9. Sharp Briar
10. The Green Green Grass
11. First of Four
12. Fuck This...I'm Leaving

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35023 in Music
• Released on: 2005-09-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .15 pounds

Album Description
The Austin-based drone-pop quartet the AMERICAN ANALOG SET evolved from the ashes of Dallas' ELECTRIC COMPANY in 1994. 'Set Free' is the album that the band has been waiting a decade to make and with no time restrictions, no label, no money, and many miles between the members of the band, AmAnSet made it all happen exactly as they wanted it to. It is their strongest, most surprising work to date as it marks the culmination of many years playing together and growing as musicians and as a band. 'Set Free' completes this story with 12 songs about getting over something that never goes away.

Amazon.com
American Analog Set is one of the most endearing bands you've probably never heard of. AmAnSet, as they are sometimes known, have spent 10 years writing and recording six full-length CDs that are religiously loved by fans; their new disc, Set Free, is likely to be similarly worshipped. Those unfamiliar with the group's gorgeously floaty sounds deserve an analogy, so here's one to get you started: imagine that the late singer/songwriter Elliott Smith did a disc of lullabies, sometimes solo, occasionally backed by Stereolab. Sounds good, doesn’t it? In fact, it's great. American Analog Set's beauty lies in its combination of simplicity, candor, and yes, repetition. There are some amazing moments on this disc; "Cool Kids Keep" pulsates with a subtle groove, while "She’s Half" contains the kind of fragile beauty that can cause a full body ache. Set Free is the musical equivalent of a an old fleece hoodie. While this music can't change the world, it can make people happier, calmer, and more peaceful...one listener at a time. --Denise Sheppard

Customer Reviews

I Love Reliability
The Austin-based drone-pop group American Analog Set are probably the most consistent band in pop music. Over the course of the last decade or so, they have released 6 LP's of really quite similar music. While some may dismiss this as a lack of versatility, I believe it is really quite remarkable, and a testimony to the talent of this band. Constantly re-inventing oneself (Radiohead) takes guts, talent, and fortitude, yes. But the opposite side of the coin is just as difficult. To continue making records so similar, yet unique, must be a phenomenally difficult thing. Granted, this isn't exactly the most challenging music in the world to create. But to have so many tracks released, and still sounding somewhat fresh, I must applaud their effort.

Set Free, if it must be said based on the above paragraph, is classic AmAnSet. This band is some of the best laid-back party music I've ever heard. Its also fantastic for early morning drives to work when everything seems to be moving too fast. AmAnSet has the unique ability to somewhat slow down time. I find it quite difficult to be up-tight or panicked about anything with AAS playing in the background. Life just moves to a slower beat, and one to which I like walking. The production is solid, if unassuming, and the instrumentals play their parts well to a tee, which one could expect after a decade of making this music. Tracks to surely check out are "Cool Kids Keep" and "She's Half."

I think I have a crush on this album. Is that possible?
When I think of American Analog Set, the word 'scintillating' comes to my head, as well as breezy, comforting visions of softly shimmering waves in a fall sunset (because of course, a summer sunset here is a bit too warm). It was this same feeling I got when I walked into a local coffee shop and heard a familiar, driving beat I couldn't help but nod my head to (this was before ordering the caffiene, mind you) The barista told me it was American Analog Set, and I believe they were doing a brilliant cover of Neu's "Negativland" with vibes and all! I had to go and high tailed it to my local record shop. I went and searched through the catalog, but alas, I could not find it anywhere listed. I instead found this record.
I figure they are usually a pretty good bet...I was most pleased with Know By Heart and have a few singles. Off from the start, "Set Free" starts things off with the instantly catchy "Always Wins" and then very strangely segues into the Immaculate Heart pieces. It's difficult to leave the first three tracks, I find myself replaying them (which I suppose is a bit unfair to "Cool Kids Keep"). Anyway...it's quite an outstanding album that to me has so much weight and nuance and yet still manages to sound like it's got the most natural flow.
Maybe I'm just gushing, guilty, but I tell you, it's the album's fault. Do these gentlemen a favor and at least check out the free sample mp3 on their website.

Free is good
Amanset (American Analog Set) is a hidden gem of a band. This is a good CD to start with if you are interested in them. Know By Heart and From Our Living Room to Yours are the others I'd start with. I'm pretty baffled by the low-end grades this disc received. I really like it. It works as background, but it more than holds up to active listening. These guys are different and fun. Mellow and chill, but with some edge.