Almanac Mountain - ...Is In Like With You

Almanac Mountain

...Is In Like With You
self-released; 2014

3.6 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Every once in a while an artist comes around that has a sound all their own. Almanac Mountain is a borrowing of many different colors, but the big picture is a hue of something new altogether. The songs are like quaint and romantic gems of a certain innocent love. The album title itself is a cutesy take on the beauty and fluttering youth that comes with liking someone. And moving with that, when does like become love? Is there a singular moment where the dawning becomes clear or is it a hard earned process of learning, accepting, and growing interpersonally? 

I’m not sure if this album answers that question, but it raises similar thoughts and experiences that we all can find some relation to, strengthening the bonds between track and listener. Almanac Mountain breathes this light charm and glow into each song permeating with new wave synth, dry vocal delivery, and enchanting melodies. All of this is the standard upon which further development unfolds, namely on “The Old Carvings.” No way did you see saxophone making an appearance, but it’s certainly a fine addition.

The Portsmouth Herald writes, "Almanac Mountain...creates so much blissful noise in such a confined space it's a wonder he's able to make it all happen by himself." I couldn’t agree more with this statement. We live in a world where too many artists just rely on their teams of writers and producers to craft the hard stuff and then they just parade the lyrics around with enough investment to get by. Almanac Mountain shines in this sense right from the start. “Orison” is gentle and introspective with great song structure and build, all on an even plane of subtlety and emotion. Become familiar with this formula because it makes a trend. And why not? Use what works, I say, and use it well. Almanac presses on with an attractive little number, “Dynamite & Wine.” Who can resist some wonderful ukulele especially when it’s softening an already smooth pillow of sound. 

As mentioned earlier, “The Old Carvings” showcases some fine sax work and acts as a closing message to anyone doubting the integrity behind the instrumentation. Personally, I think Almanac Mountain could find a way to make an oboe sound fitting. Let’s hear it for this diverse and darling record.

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