ALBUM REVIEW: Austin Archer – Venture to Breathe

Austin Archer
Venture to Breathe
[Get Up Records, 2011]

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Up-and-coming local artist Austin Archer just released his seven-song sophomore effort, Venture to Breath. On the release he has transformed his previously all acoustic sound into a fully produced, complete band endeavor by enlisting the help of several of Atlanta’s best musicians to create a pristinely presented journey through the deep inner workings of his mind. The best description of his sound by way of other bands is early Dashboard Confessional meets a slow As Cities Burn, but with it’s own unique twist. I’m tempted to categorize it as emo, but that term really does no one justice anymore so I’ll leave it as super mellow, introspective pop punk.

The songs are really quite simple, straightforward and extremely accessible. The ideas are especially concise and they are focused and performed in such a way that makes the songs easy for the listener to understand. Archer definitely knew what he wanted to say here and how to say it. The quality of the production had a huge role to play in this. Jeff Malpass of Marigolds and Monsters Studio recorded the EP flawlessly, leaving nothing to the unsure ground of the listener’s imagination. Every detail was focused and tailored to the overall message and direction that Archer laid out for the record.

Between the excellent songwriting and great production, this record turned out tremendous. It’s an onslaught of infectious guitar riffs and catchy lyrics, but it retains a melancholy moodiness that keeps the record from becoming cheesy or cliché. One thing that’s really refreshing about the record is that Archer never gets too whiny, which is something a lot of his genre-mates have trouble avoiding. His songs are deep, emotional and introspective, but he handles his issues like a man and doesn’t resort to wrist slashing and crying.

That being said, I had a difficult time writing this review. Terrible bands are easy to cover because there are a lot of things to complain about. On the opposite end of the spectrum, really amazing bands often make for easy reviews because the words just sort of gush out of my natural love for the band and their music. Archer’s record was hard though. It’s a million miles from a terrible record and I mostly only have praise for it. However, the record didn’t rattle my cages and spin my head. I don’t think that Archer set out to reinvent the wheel, but I’m not sure he’s really made this record stand out from the hundreds of well-produced, smartly written records out there. There’s just not that elusive “special something” about it that makes it life-changing or a classic.

So the short and long of Austin Archer’s Venture to Breathe is this: it’s a terrific record by an up-and-coming artist with almost perfect production. It has great moodiness, tone and excellent songwriting. Honestly, Archer would be a solid investment for any manager or label to take an interest in because he’s made something creatively accessible and ultra professional that could appeal to a mainstream audience. Still, Venture to Breath is no game changer. It doesn’t quite enthrall the listener and steal our hearts. When I pop this record in I’m not sure I haven’t heard this whole bit already.

Still, we must remember that Venture to Breath is Archer’s first full album, which was shaped to a standard even seasoned veterans would be proud of. If this is just the beginning, there’s really no height he can’t rise to in the future.

Austin Archer will celebrate the release of Venture to Breathe on Saturday, October 1st at the Masquerade. Supporting him will be Gin House and Wire Method. Doors open at 7pm. $8 gets you in.

More Info:
Bandcamp: www.austinarcher.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustinArcherMusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/archeraustin