Adam Ackerman’s solo album “Autobiologist” has just been released on Flower Girl Records and it is different from what fans are used to. Previously, he played guitar and keyboards in the band Sorority Noise, whose sound laid more on the emo/punk side of rock music. Now Ackerman is letting his voice come to the forefront of his work, with this album being categorized as soft-rock, in my opinion.
“Autobiologist” is comprised of nine songs, and many of those are acoustic guitar and piano accompaniments. But I would like to bring “In Motion” to your attention. This song, in particular, is very different than what I would have ever expected to come from Ackerman and stands out among the other songs on the album. “In Motion” has a beat to it that is very reminiscent of Latin music. This is especially prominent at the opening of the song and resurfaces at the closing. And of course, I can’t fail to mention the repeated “in my life” that occurs in the middle of the song, which brings the song to its peak. By mixing all of this with his mellow voice that is present throughout the whole album, I believe that “In Motion” is the best song on the album.
While the first half of the “Autobiologist” is more acoustic, slow, and sad, the other half of the album picks up the tempo but keeps the emotional lyrics that Ackerman’s fans are so used to. This is especially present in the last song of the album, “All I Have.” It starts off with a steady drum and electric guitar but it is the ending that I want to highlight. While still sounding upbeat Ackerman repeats “sorting my demons in a single line, shaping their faces till they look like mine” while “all I have” is repeated in the background until the song builds to a conclusion. These highly emotional lyrics sound almost cheerful despite their dark meaning when heard along with the instruments.
To listen for yourself “Autobiologist” is now streaming on Bandcamp. You can also purchase it at Flower Girl Records or from the merch table at the remaining shows on Sorority Noise’s US/UK tour.
