ACL Music Fest 2014 Sunday Review
By Neph Basedow, Fri., Oct. 3, 2014
Real Estate
Atlas (Domino)
"Less is more" when it comes to Real Estate's modus operandi. Like its predecessors, the indie quintet's third album dazzles wholly understated. A lean 38 minutes, Atlas plays out both tailored and unrushed, each of its 10 tracks arranged simply while sounding unequivocally lush. A breezy dream-pop landscape and smooth surf-rock guitar riffs juxtapose frontman Martin Courtney's lyrics; although masked in his ultra mellow croon, themes of struggle and solitude belie the music's carefree vibe. Three albums in, the New Jersey natives have mastered the craft of self-editing to the point of zero fluff. Sole misstep: "How Might I Live," sung by bassist Alex Bleeker, whose low-register vocals seem starkly misplaced against Courtney's comparatively cool voice. Real Estate already evaded the sophomore slump on 2011's impressive Days, now Atlas furthers the catalog. (5pm, RetailMeNot stage)
