The sub-SoCal duo of Rob Crow and Zach Smith throw together eleven twangy whirlwinds that take some of the weight off of the melodies of their most recent album. Their fourth album is also their most seasoned – even at its softest, it's at its most complex.
Crow and Smith have been routinely busy with other projects, which seems to have allowed them a little more freedom with Autumn of the Seraphs. They let loose the reins in all directions: up-tempo beats, freeze out surf-dub melodies, and even wallow in a piano dirge. The quick-start intro on "From Nothing To Nowhere" is the most feverish moment of the album, with a seriously chugging beat going over three minutes without relenting. "Barnes" slows down a bit, but with a stomping drum track, and excited guitar track, it's signature Pinback. "Good To Sea" features one the most recognizable riffs in the form of a lite, Nintendo-style effect. Meanwhile, guitars shuffle with drums, and the two vocal tracks play good cop/bad cop. It's easily one of the smoothest tracks they've ever done.
The next track pushes Autumn of the Seraphs into its other phase, the Downy-washed, more deliberate side. "Walters" starts off by walks along a slow guitar and vocal whisper, then a gloomy attic vibe before a piano riff eventually drops a startlingly strained chorus. "Devil You Know" is dark and mischievous with dissonant vocals, sharp guitars, and ominous piano shadowing the "Crash into the rocks below". With its pounding bass beat, dubbed-out bass & guitar, and sensual vocals, "Blue Harvest" is their most Police-esque track to date. Right after, "Torch" & "Bouquet" each flirt heavily with softness and anthemic heights. "Off By 50" mixes metallic, classical, and surf sounds into a dense climax to finish the album.
Autumn of the Seraphs is perhaps Pinback's most complicated release to date, and rightfully so given the especially recent amount of experience between its two members. More intricately internalized, this album is seemingly meant to prove something more to Crow & Smith than anyone else. With all of that in mind, it's a pretty smooth evolution.
