If Lou Barlow of Sebadoh had formed the Velvet Underground as a one-man band, he probably would've recorded a record similar to Austin May's self-titled CD (http://www.austinmay.com). With its spare arrangements and low-fi production, "Austin May" epitomizes the indie aesthetic.
The Velvets comparison isn't hype. Strip away Lou Reed's poetic, shockingly vulgar, and streetwise storytelling and you basically have a group that sounds as underground as their name. Like Reed, May has a monotone voice that's as far removed from commercial pop as it gets. But it's his style and a prettier vocal would lighten the punch.
On "Dog Ears," May opens the track by singing slowly, and you wonder where the song is going until, yes, it does pick up and clangs along in prime Velvets fashion. Even better is "Home to Me" with its brittle riffing and sensitive vocals a la Barlow.
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Most of today's acoustic rock is too polished, mainly because those artists are trying to break into mass consciousness. May isn't even attempting that. He's following his own muse. There's a downbeat quality to these tunes, especially "Make Up Your Mind" with its tribal drumming, which makes it perfect for rainy, miserable nights.
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