American Authors - Oh, What A Life

Boston based newcomers American Authors have finally released their much anticipated debut album titled Oh, What A Life. Currently based in Brooklyn right now, the band have been quietly building a buzz with their single, "Best Day of My Life" and the group are hoping to expand on that and add a string of other positive minded tunes that bring about a sense of self-identity and focus that is apparent in all of the members of the group as they take the next path to success.

Things kick off with "Believer", a melodic, upbeat tune that features hints of banjo embedded within the intro and all the way throughout and coupled with the band's extremely well written lyrics give the prospective listener an idea as to how each of the songs from here on out are based and what types of emotions they can illicit from them as well. "Think About It" is a true delight with varying tempos of guitar riffs and the strong lead vocals of Zac Barnett delivering a melodic punch that can't be ignored and is one to be reckoned with and appreciated upon arrival. My favorite track off the album is one that I'm sure you're all familiar with, "Best Day of My Life". The track features stellar guitar riffs and Zac's introspective vocals working their magic throughout the banjo enhanced melodies that add a distinct element of authenticity that can't be replicated anywhere else, a purely fantastic track inside and out. "Trouble" features more noticeable folk elements derived from the prior tracks, and relies on the echoing and soothing vocals and some soft percussion elements that show the diversity that is just exploding out of the group right now. "Hit It" blasts it right out of the park with more intense percussion arrangements and varying tempos of instrumentation that are hard to keep track of at first, but you'll learn to adapt to over time.

The second half features "Love", a more toned down number that showcases the band's diversity and their ability to cater to different emotions and wavelengths that makes them a more diverse and well rounded group in the process. "Heart of Stone" is an intense, old school themed rocker that features a pulsating guitar riff that sets the bar pretty high, and shows the dynamic of the band in full force who are always tuned in literally as to how they want each song to sound and taking a meticulous approach each and every time. The title track closes us all out here with an authentic, down home folk track reminiscent of Mumford & Sons that shows all the influences that have gotten the band to this point, and how their music education has helped them get this far in their careers, and they are poised to get even better with each passing moment. The members all attended school in the Boston area at Berklee College of Music where they mastered the act of music performance and have clearly set their foot forward as to what they want to do for a career and proving that you can make a living off of it as well. I've been told by many that you can't make any money off of music journalism, but that's not why I'm in this business. I'm in it for the artists and not championing behind one particular band that I care about, I write for the music that I feel so passionate about and want people to better understand the music I listen to on a daily basis. American Authors are truly an inspiration for me in that department wholeheartedly.

In closing, a well recorded and implemented effort from American Authors, a band who are taking the high road to the promised land, with the fruits of their labor being immediately realized upon impact and are only going to get better as the days pass by.

                                                                                                                            Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Believer
2. Think About It
3. Best Day Of My Life
4. Luck
5. Trouble
6. Hit It
7. Home
8. Love
9. Heart of Stone
10. Ghost
11. Oh, What A Life