What makes Love Is Simple by Akron/Family notable?

Love Is Simple received positive critical acclaim upon its release, praised for its eclectic nature and adventurous spirit. The album exemplified a shift towards a more communal and free-form approach that resonated within the indie folk scene, influencing subsequent artists seeking to blend genres and explore new musical territories. Released in early 2007, Love Is Simple was Akron/Family's third studio album, coming after their self-titled debut and the more structured follow-up, Akron/Family II: Texture. This album marked a period of artistic exploration for the band as they began to incorporate a wider range of influences and sonic experimentation into their sound.

Who is Love Is Simple for?

Love Is Simple works well if you're into introspective communal listening experience, patient exploration of soundscapes and playful moments to sing along.

How many songs are on Love Is Simple?

Love Is Simple has 21 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Love Is Simple

Akron/Family · 2007

56 min · 21 tracks · indie folk

A blend of expansive soundscapes and intimate folk melodies, merging spiritual themes with a playful experimental edge.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Love, Love, Love (Everyone) — Opening with a joyous chorus that celebrates love and unity, this track encapsulates the album's overarching theme while showcasing the band's signature harmonies.
→
Ed Is a Portal — This lengthy piece combines intricate instrumentation with layered vocals, highlighting the band's exploration of expansive sonic landscapes and the notion of interconnectedness.
→
There’s So Many Colors — With its reflective lyrics and soothing melody, this track stands out for its contemplative nature, embodying the album's meditative qualities and emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album's eclectic sound and varied track lengths create an engaging yet uneven experience.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation and vocal harmonies that shift between playful and introspective themes.
The last three tracks gradually decrease in tempo, allowing the album to conclude on a meditative note.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

introspective communal listening experience
patient exploration of soundscapes
playful moments to sing along
dynamic shifts in pacing
cathartic reflections on love

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in early 2007, Love Is Simple was Akron/Family's third studio album, coming after their self-titled debut and the more structured follow-up, Akron/Family II: Texture. This album marked a period of artistic exploration for the band as they began to incorporate a wider range of influences and sonic experimentation into their sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Fleet Foxes· Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine