Album Review: As Iz’s “Under the Radar”

CASTLETON ON HUDSON – The latest release from As Iz, Under the Radar, marks yet another record in the singer-songwriter’s ever-growing repertoire. The one-man band delivers an EP that features both high and low energy moments, with several and frequent nods to iconic sounds of the genre that have taken place over the years.

Containing the simplicity, playfulness, and bombast of tunes heard from British Invasion bands of yesteryear, the album comes out of the gate with “The Sum of a Lifetime.” The throbbing eighth note figures from the bass are complemented well by the other instrumentation, especially the guitars and harmonica.

As the conclusion of the previous track bleeds into the next, “Victor’s Wife,” listeners are soon greeted with a shuffling tune. Bopping along, the tune that initially doesn’t reach too high or low, instrumentally speaking, soon stretches its legs with a guitar solo that floats through the mix. Double-tracking the vocal adds a nice, almost psychedelic effect to the melody. Though not overly complicated, having a guitar solo serve as the outro is a welcomed way to end the track. Continuing in the same vein with vocal techniques and use of lead guitar, there are parts of “No Words” that are highly reminiscent of Neil Young in terms of tone, “frappy” guitar and harmonica stylings.

Elsewhere, the title track takes the audience in a different direction. Contemplative acoustic fingerpicking comprises the majority of this song, with vocals that sometimes feature double-track takes, and other times feature harmonies. It’s arranged and performed in such a way that effectively changes up the tone and tenor of the record.

Separating “Under the Radar” from the closing song, “First Light,” is the instrumental “Come Home to Me.” Overall, while it would’ve been nice to hear the percussion a bit tighter on the instrumental, the acoustic parts are quite enjoyable. More rocking than the previous two songs, “First Light” has the right amount of energy to conclude the album. Some of the tones on that track are similar to those one might find on a post-punk record from the late 1980’s.

As the record progresses along, whether it is the double-tracking vocals, harmony choices, or guitar tone choices, there are many times that the creative influence of Pete Townsend and artists of that ilk seep through. And, while the performances could still stand to be tightened up a tad, there is a marked improvement in this regard from As Iz’s last release. Check it out for yourself here.