Automata (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Automata
Type = Studio album
Artist = Jai Agnish


Released = 2000
Recorded =
Genre = Indie rock
Length =
Label = Blue Bunny
Producer =
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2tpsa9ygl23s link]

"Automata" is the debut album by singer/ songwriter Jai Agnish.

In 2000 Agnish self-released his debut full-length CD, Automata, on his Blue Bunny Records. Here, with 11 tracks, he merged drum machine generated beats and melody and toy samples with acoustic guitar-based singing and song-writing. The sound -- electro-folk, folk-tronica, or maybe indie-tronica -- prompted The Toronto Star to call Agnish a "techno-savvy, 21st-century descendant of Nick Drake or Leonard Cohen."

Pitchfork Media, in a favorable review (7.6 rating) said "Agnish blends electronics, toys, and folk into a chalice and offers it to you as a gift. Both familiar and unlike anything else, you'd be wise to taste it." The album was spun on college radio, debuting at number 121 on the CMJ charts.

Sufjan Stevens, a former band-mate who toured and performed regularly with Agnish in support of the album, recorded melodica on one song and analog synth on another. JSRockit, a long-time friend and musical influence who accompanies Agnish on other releases, contributes programming on two of the songs on Automata. Agnish toured in support of the CD with Stevens, Half-Handed Cloud, Soul-Junk, Danielson, and Unwed Sailor.

Track Listings

#"Introduction – 1:17
#"Surprised Eyes – 2:46
#"How You Dream – 3:17
#"Deaf Today – 3:41
#"Finding Ways – 3:22
#"Somerset Streets – 2:46
#"Climb to Remind – 2:38
#"Smile to the Pretty Angel – 3:44
#"Green Series No. 1 – 3:31
#"Jesus Song – 4:05
#"Send Me – 4:11