that's it? Only 1 opinion?

hey Kat-
I'll toss in my two cents (or is it shillings ) on that-

I think AA should sound exactly like what Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale WANT it to sound like. Duh...
Whether the fans like it or not, the tunes rolling around in their heads are the foundation of everything the band does. Beyond that, assuming they listen to fan's suggestions (which they don't have to at all but appear to care about) it should have some palpable link to their musical history, by that meaning previous recordings. But not just one or two, that would pigeon-hole them too much.
Since I became more of a fan after Beautiful Game and Aart, my preference is for full band (meaning keys, the two guitars and electric lead, electric bass, and drums with occasional extra percs) and more rock oriented music.
I'm not too fond of the "chill" sound or the "hiphop" influences, but when AA uses it, they do it well.
Unlike a lot of other new jazz poser artist (that's my new term for the genre, I guess ) that can lull you to sleep by the third song, AA constantly seems to toss in a startling or unexpected twist on a riff or melody, and that's what keeps them above the others- it's always interesting and engaging music, even if I don't like the "style" of it. And they aren't afraid to mix up tempos either, much less time signatures.
I'd even be ok with it if they used a sax or horn section more often, so long as it doesn't become overpowering. And the occasional duet of just Greg and Miles is great, too.
Honestly, my least favorite recent cd is Radio Contact, it just didn't "contact" me as deeply as Aart did. (Nothing's as good as your fist one...) But...I'm listening to Radio Contact right now, and it's very good- just not my favorite.
It still has that AA sound tho.

I still spin and enjoy This Way at least every couple days.

So, to say it in one line, they should sound fresh, original, and identifiable no matter what style, tempo, or instrumentation it is. I think they do that (and will continue) primarily with the nylon and steel acoustics playing double melodies or harmonies, which has always been a signature sound. And I hope they keep it up.

In fact, I'd like to see what would happen with both of them playing Stratocasters or hollow body electric Gibsons...maybe that could be the next cd's theme, more rocking and gritty.

I bet they could pull it off, and still sound like AA.

Later
TonyY

I wouldn't mind hearing them with a pair of Meloldy Makers.

Whatever genre or style the guys do; so far its all been great. From RD&SL to Arcanum (my all-time fav) to Back on the Case (Mr C's rumored favorite) to This Way; it's all great music.

Ignore the critics.

I've been working some late nights, which usually gives me a chance to listen to music for longer periods of time without interruption (and also thru my excellent in-ear monitors. Gotta love them.)

So last night, in yahoo music on my computer, I clicked on artist, AA, and play all. I had recently reloaded a lot of my mp3s and ripped cds, but I don't have much except This Way and Radio Contact on this hard drive.

I've said before that Radio Contact wasn't one of my favorites, but I have to take that back yet again. It's different, but still great, and when it's randomly (well, alphabetically) mixed in with This Way, it fits very well with it, shows the wide range of sounds and songs and styles these guys can produce.

Clearly though, there's a lot of energy/passion/authenticity/believability on This Way- I enjoy it more every time I listen, and I'd have to echo that for Radio also.

Later
TonyY