Austin Sound

Attack Formation has done it again by denying any possibility of definition. They are not a band but an organization of musicians, and their music is anything but passive, its ever-shifting sounds, beats, and interludes pull in the listener and force them to pay attention. Staying true to their Formation in their newest album, We Are Alive In Tune, the band as a whole composed only 5 of the 13 tracks, with the remaining tracks composed and recorded by individual band members including Reaganometry, You and Me Falconry, Butcher Bear, Strong Silent Type, and Horse Rappaport.

With such a mix of artists and tracks one might think the album would have an incoherent sound, but the individual recordings of band members only add more depth and coherence to the group’s collaborations, as well as the album as a whole. Throughout the album, Attack Formation’s sound shifts from punk, to love-sick emo, to noise experimentation, to urban meandering, to audience telemetering, to tinges of pop and rock, all the while producing an album that works as a whole and keeps your attention listen after listen.

Click images to view full-size picture

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs did not disappoint the sold out crowd at Stubb’s on Saturday night. Guitarist Nick Zinner took to the stage first, looking rakishly thin and emo-cool. Brian Chase followed suit twirling his drumsticks before unleashing his thunderous dance rhythms onto the audience. Once Zinner and Chase had the crowd screaming and jumping with anticipation, Karen O made her appearance on stage dressed in a orange and gold shimmery spandex jumpsuit and what appeared to be a rapture induced smile.