autopilot - diamond rough

Autopilot

Diamond Rough
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Autopilot is a three-piece band hailing from Saskatoon, Canada. Diamond Rough is the band’s second album and here they are showcasing their rock music that is infused with a bit of pop and indie. There is something to be said about emotion in all of the songs in this piece. This is not your ordinary rock music. It is an album for reflecting, and perhaps grieving in some manner. There is a serious amount of emotion and passion in the style of the vocalist, and that of the complementing instruments.

The first song on the album that shares the same name as the title, repeats the lyrics “when we were young” and represents an interesting recollection of the past, “in the aftermath, it wasn’t half as bad, we were just diamond rough.” The song has a slow burning appeal and an immense depth to it. The vocals have a distinguished sound that emulates both sadness and happiness; something that can be compared to an elder telling stories from decades past.

The second song, “Last Play” has a bit of an uplifting feel and has a story to tell about perhaps a lover, “just let the last play on the records on your shelf, you’re just the icing on the cake I never bought.” There is innate longing and a feeling of helplessness within the illustrations of the song. The next song, “Life and Death by Radio” is an anthemic song with a message to the media, “everybody knows, that you’re always taking it too far… gotta be strong.”

Diamond Rough is a collection of über emotional indie rock. There seems to be no way to escape the emotional aspect of the style behind this band. Positivity is  injected from time to time with the guitars and percussion, but the overall style and sound of the vocalist creates the aura of strife and stark reality. This can be very appealing in the right setting and perhaps to the right audience of listeners. I would categorize this music as punk pop rock, because each song has something to rebel against, whether it is a feeling or an organization. There is good recording quality on this album, and all of the members of the band achieve cohesive sound, making this a great listen for the person looking for rebellious gratification.

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