JAI AGNISH
Automata (Blue Bunny)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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You gotta like the sneaky rock. Automata is about as sneaky as a record gets these days. It's soft, gentle, cute, and if a CD could be - fuzzy. Jai Agnish opens up with a retro kiddie sound bite about a rocket ship ride ("gather your crayons"). A clever introductory hook followed by a dreamy, casio tinged pop nugget punctuated by bird sounds. Though not a part of the Tooth & Nail roster, Agnish is a perfect fit, meandering somewhere between the electropop of Joy Electric and the quirky, homey sounds of Danielsson. He also happens to share a similar Biblical approach with Daniel Smith of the latter group. Yup, this is a Christian record, but wait don't run, this kind of Christian record is lotsa fun! You don't have to dig the gospel to revel in these tunes, for they are truly exemplary. The low key approach of this homey (recorded in his parents house on a 4-track) album gives it an approachable charm few can muster. There's also an honesty and a vulnerability in the delivery that bring Will Oldham to mind. But most importantly, the material is just damn catchy, and that is what counts in the end.

© 2000 - John Sekerka