Akron/Family Born Ruffians Sneaky Dee's March 24, 2009

It's a little out of the ordinary to see Born Ruffians opening a Toronto show. It's indicative of the level of respect that Pennsylvania trio Akron/Family have accumulated in the music community.

The realization that Akron/Family are one of the Born Ruffians' most noticeable influences came to me in a backwards sort of way, only after the two bands took to the same stage on the same night. Though I'd heard both groups' new albums, I hadn't realized until this evening that they had so much in common. While the majority of Akron/Family's tunes are blissed out space jams or thoughtful folk, they do have a few tracks in their repertoire that sound eerily Born Ruffians-like—bouncy and ebullient. More correctly, it should be said that the Born Ruffians have developed a sound that's eerily similar to the Akron/Family's.

Sonically, Born Ruffians were a little lackluster—possibly due to the Sneaky Dee's sound system (they're used to playing in places like the Opera House)—but they put forth an admirable effort, and for the majority of their set, had so many people dancing that the floor felt ready to give way.

Akron/Family caused some dancing of their own, but more often had audience members agape, staring in awe. On most songs, they vacillated between quiet-as-a-mouse strumming and deafening guitar assault. They frequently extended the ends of tracks into unknown territory; the first five songs of their set must have lasted a collective hour.

Their new disc, Set ’Em Wild, Set ’Em Free is a solid collection, but an Akron/Family live performance is something that will never be duplicable on disc. They are undoubtedly masters of their craft.

(4.5/5)