The Autumn Defense, Once Around

By Less Lee Moore

Wilco fans have known about The Autumn Defense, a side project featuring Patrick Sansone and John Stirratt, for years. For the rest of us, their latest album Once Around is both a surprise and a pleasure.

Sansone’s gorgeous, natural vocals dominate the album; he shifts from a lower register to a fine falsetto throughout and his harmonies are flawless. Once Around also boasts some brilliant bass from Stirratt: it’s subtle yet powerful, both anchoring and propelling each song forward. There’s also quite a bit of piano and symphonic instrumentation and it’s nice to hear them used in a non-pretentious or schmaltzy way, which is far too frequently the downfall of many modern alt-pop bands.

While Once Around possesses a remarkably fresh-sounding retro feeling, it doesn’t sound derivative, even when evoking bands like America (“Tell Me What You Want,” “The Rift”), Bread (“Step Easy”), or The Smiths (“The Swallows of London Town”). Many of the songs have the same haunting quality and Beatle-esque vibe of the late, great Elliott Smith, particularly in the chord changes and harmonies.

While each song is terrific, the real standout tracks are “Back of My Mind,” “Allow Me,” “Step Easy,” “Every Day,” and “Once Around,” with its melancholy feel, superlative vocals, and achingly pretty bridge.

Once Around is overflowing with beautiful songs, all constructed with loving care and obvious craft. It’s a nice comedown after the spooky hysteria of the Halloween season and a perfect soundtrack for chilly weather, crisp golden leaves, and sitting by the fireplace.

Tour Dates:
(All dates feature Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion as support)

November 6: Three Oaks, MI @ The Acorn Theatre
November 7: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
November 8: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
November 9: Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel
November 11: Allston, MA @ Great Scott
November 12: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
November 13: Philadelphia, PA @ Tin Angel
November 15: Arlington, VA @ IOTA Club and Cafe
November 16: Durham, NC @ The Casbah
November 17: Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
November 18: Nashville, TN @ The Basement
November 20: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall

Once Around was released on November 2 through Yep Roc. You may also stream or download the first single, “Back of My Mind.” Check out the band’s website for more details.