With three records in just two years, John Vanderslice is already proving himself to be a prolific songwriter who can put together an admirable concept record. Like Time Travel Is Lonely, The Life and Death of an American Fourtracker tells a story of solitude and, ultimately, the downfall of its protagonist. A boy obsessed with producing home recordings may not sound as sad as someone stuck in Antarctica without communication, but through Vanderslice's lyrics and wonderful arrangements, a powerful misfortune emerges. With help once again from indie rock friends such as Spoon, Death Cab for Cutie, and Beulah, he shows a developing interest in peculiar sounds as well as chamber pop, most notably on "The Mansion," which blossoms into a jubilant chorus. The examination of a recording device in "Me and My 424" establishes a sense that this genuine tale isn't too far from being autobiographical. And given Vanderslice's number of hours spent in his Tiny Telephone studio, it wouldn't be a surprise.
The Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
John Vanderslice
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The Life and Death of an American Fourtracker Review
by Kenyon Hopkin
Track Listing
| Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Vanderslice | 03:41 | Amazon | |||
| 2 | John Vanderslice | 03:36 | Amazon | |||
| 3 | John Vanderslice | 04:02 | Amazon | |||
| 4 | John Vanderslice | 01:46 | Amazon | |||
| 5 | John Vanderslice | 03:57 | Amazon | |||
| 6 | John Vanderslice | 03:27 | Amazon | |||
| 7 | John Vanderslice | 03:43 | Amazon | |||
| 8 | John Vanderslice | 01:12 | Amazon | |||
| 9 | John Vanderslice | 00:49 | Amazon | |||
| 10 | John Vanderslice | 03:04 | Amazon | |||
| 11 | John Vanderslice | 03:25 | Amazon | |||
| 12 | John Vanderslice | 02:23 | Amazon |
