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.
John Vanderslice
The Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
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AllMusic Review by Kenyon Hopkin
Track Listing
| Sample | Title/Composer | Performer | Time | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 03:41 | |||||
| 2 | 03:36 | |||||
| 3 | 04:02 | |||||
| 4 | 01:46 | |||||
| 5 | 03:57 | |||||
| 6 | 03:27 | |||||
| 7 | 03:43 | |||||
| 8 | 01:12 | |||||
| 9 | 00:49 | |||||
| 10 | 03:04 | |||||
| 11 | 03:25 | |||||
| 12 | 02:23 |
