Akira's sound isn't unique but it's definitely unusual. Live they're really something, bristling with more effects pedals than a three piece has any right to and making avant-garde chaotic noises that become songs before going back to noise. On this CD the sound is a little more refined, and it comes in a home made light cardboard wallet sort of design, reminiscent of Shellac’s at Action Park but in black and white. The outside’s covered with a photocopy. It probably sounds cheap but it doesn’t feel that way.
Track one (The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance) opens with a steady house beat and light bass riff in the style of early chilled-out Faithless, then the guitar squeals in and we’re somewhere slightly different. It’s got a tense energy to it which the mournful called-out vocals do nothing to release, calling out in a gospel/soulful style that I’m not entirely sure I’m happy with. It grows on me, though.
Second and last on the CD is Soho Was Always There For Me and this is more my sort of thing. The song hangs off a really excellent little hypnotic driving drum pattern, while various delayed guitar effects float dreamily on top. The vocals here are sounding more immediate and have a pleasing undercurrent of disgust to their delivery. Three quarters of the way in, the song goes loud and much angrier, with screamed out phrases, cutting off suddenly to a metallic echo. Fantastic.
