Photo By V. Lee
Automatic Iris is the band you want on while you share a bottle of wine—better yet, whisky—with a good friend on a sun-soaked porch during the change in seasons that creates perfect temperatures for losing track of time. It’s rock and roll for light hearts. Ethereal, weightless, and driving, the band creates waves of positive momentum with each mellow number. While there’s a serious tenor to their tracks, the delivery says, “It’s all good.”
The vocals in “Quicksand” showcase the group’s appreciation for harmony and subtlety. An understated rhythm section and pleasant guitar picking create a relaxing backdrop for the softly sung lyrics. “Nothing but this hollow-bodied daydream. Nothing but my starry-eyed romance. Nothing but a glance to look you in the eye. Nothing but the fun of just one chance.” Similarly understated, the lyrics tease the listeners with a hint of romance, but that’s all it is. A second for love, an instant to recognize it: “but I walk away.” The song dissolves into a glimmer of the spark that never caught. It’s a familiar feeling, subtle and understated.
“Withstand” picks up with a little more drive and even seems to respond to the fleeting romance of “Quicksand.” Four to the floor rock backs the chorus: “Say something. Say something. Say something. Even if you look away!” The driving music breaks down into the melodic plea of “you gotta release me,” and more harmony to bring the tune to a gentle landing just before the last departure into the raucous outro for a tune not so subtle or understated.