All Those I Know

iTunes Review

Something of a communal exercise, Eric & Magill’s debut All Those I Know overlays electronica effects upon simple folk/pop structures and acoustic instrumentation to create landscapes of sound both shadowy and incandescent. Ex-Camden members Ryan Weber, Eric Osterman and Brian Zimmerman enlist a legion of far-flung friends to help flesh out their compositions. At times, the tunes are soft and dreamy, akin to the Pastels or Animal Collective; at others, a bright melodic sensibility brings to mind Stephen Duffy’s the Lilac Time. The title track and “Birthdays Are Important” achieve an ethereal sort of majesty through use of evocative strings and stately rhythms. Vocals — often bathed in layers of reverb — are a key element, with “Old Man Winter” distinguished by its massive background choir. Quieter moments like “Gentle, Polite” and “Should We All Wake Up” prove that the album is held together by more than a production strategy. While the lyrics are cryptic at times, their foggy yet warm tone conveys more than literal meanings.