Rating: NNN
Judging by the band name, lifted from an old Belle and Sebastian song, you might deduce that Portland’s SOTAF are a relatively sensitive outfit with a fondness for melody. Which is true. But within seconds of opening track Centuries, it’s obvious they’re more geared toward that whole electro-indie thing, all pretty bits mixed with glitchy bits like the Postal Service and Dntel. But where the Postal Service are terrific at dramatic structure and building tension, SOTAF consistently fail to make their songs as epic as they might hope. All the key ingredients seem to be in place, and they have plenty of potential, but the album as a whole leaves something to be desired.
Stars of Track and Field play Friday (March 9) as part of CMW at Revival.
