Home Video is made up of two very talented individuals, Collin Ruffino and David Gross. They connected in high school art class in 1997 where their instructor whom was an eccentric painter made a short narrative film starring David and directed by Collin. Which the film collaboration was said to have influenced the band’s name. David went to Boston to study music and philosophy while Collin in New York studied film but they both remained in touch and created music together during summer breaks. The first Home Video song came to them during the blizzard of 2003. As snow piled up they both stayed busy inside working on their latest creation. A year later Warp Records discovered them and released Home Video’s first two EPs that includes illustrations by Collin. “That You Might” got immediate attention in Britain from BBC Radio 1. After going on tour in the UK, Blonde Redhead was so impressed that they invited the band to support them for three weeks of shows in the US. Since then they have opened for very diverse acts such as Justice, Yeasayer, Flying Lotus, Pinback, DJ Krush, Colder, and Radio 4. Now after much success with their first studio album “No Certain Night or Morning,” the band has just released their second album “Automatic Process.” Unlike their album “No Certain Night or Morning,” “Automatic Process” has more of an uplifting sound with less synthesizer and more piano and drums than their prior album. The album “Automatic Process” really showcases the bands true talent and artistic abilities. If you are unfamiliar with Home Video, even though their sound is one of a kind they sound similar to bands such as The Fray, Fever Ray, Stateless and Passion Pits.

1. Accomplished But Dead: The songs itself has a dark feel to it (I mean just look at the title). There are a few places where the vocals are off set with the beat, which is very interesting to listen to.

2. The Smoke: The song starts off with one simple rhythm and as it progresses, bass lines and vocals are placed on top of it. The song itself is really catchy, and unique.

3. Business Transaction: The song starts off with a piano playing a really cool intro to the vocals. This song isn’t heavy with the electronic beats; it’s more of a slow song. I really like this song because it shows how versatile they can be. I like the way this song reaches the climax and slowly fades (vocals and beats) towards the end.

4. An Accident: This song is probably my favorite if I had to pick one off the album. After about eighteen seconds you’ll be hooked. In the song, there is a very interesting beat line that will make you want to see where the song is going. The vocals are sung in a round type of way that makes for great harmony. This song is definitely if not the best very close to the top.

5. I Can Make You Feel It: I actually had heard this song long ago on their EP entitled “It Will Be Ok.” The Song starts off heavy on the vocals, telling a story of a woman who seems to be struggling. As the song goes on it actually is a really sweet song and I would say it could even be a love song. In the middle of the song there is a good beat line that adds to the songs whole.

6. Beatrice: The songs starts off with a guitar playing a really soft rhythm, then as the song progresses forward the vocals and beats come in. I think this is my second favorite song because of its vocal harmony. This song isn’t filled with electronic beats, it sounds more natural with a drum, guitar and vocals. There is some electronic stuff going on but isn’t as electronic sounding like some of the others. The lyrics are more in-depth than they appear, and you have listen closely to understand the meaning of the song. This song really show cases their lyric writing ability because the lyrics are very touching, but in some places you can’t really hear them because of some of the beats. Nevertheless, this song is true talent!

In that dream she said “I have always loved you”
I saw the bending horizon over miles of sea
In that dream she said “I have always loved you”
It was the peak of everything I’ll ever be

7. The Automatic Process: At the beginning the song sounds very synthesized, almost to the point where I almost had to skip it. However, if you listen to the whole song it gets much better the beat that was heavily synthesized drops off and the vocals accompanied with a simpler beat take over.

8. Every Love That Ever Was: This song has the “WOW” factor! It has a light whimsical beat playing throughout the song. The chorus sounds really neat because it progresses along with the baseline of the song. This song was also included on their EP, entitled “It Will Be Ok.”

9. Description of a Struggle: When I first heard this song, I was kept trying listen to the lyrics and I was getting frustrated because I couldn’t understand them. After listening to the song several I finally understood the meaning of the song. The title of the song is “Description of a Struggle,” and this song beautifully depicts just that. I really like this song because they are able to paint a picture without using any words or lyrics.

10. No Relief: I really like the way this song is back to back with “Description of a Struggle.” The song starts off with a funky beat that goes into a vocal story. Towards the middle of the song when the chorus starts playing you can hear the harmony of the beats with the piano and the vocals. Everything in this song fits together like a puzzle. I will say that the beat at the beginning takes some getting use to but the song is pretty awesome overall.

11. You Will Know What To Do: If there was an award for best vocals this song would get it. Collin Ruffino’s voice in this song is truly amazing! I am so glad they included this song on the album; it is also from their EP, entitled “It Will Be Ok.” It starts with a piano playing and their vocals telling a story. Soon after the vocals start the piano drops off and an electronic beat starts in along with it sounds like children’s voices in the background. I am not sure how they make this song work but they do, definitely the cherry on top to a great album!

Overall, I really have enjoyed listening to this album. This is an album that I could listen to every song and not get bored. I liked their first album “No Certain Night Or Morning.” That album was very heavy electronically, however with “Automatic Process” is more natural sounding without the need of heavy electronic beats you get to hear more vocals. The album really shows their true talent and I think this is a step in the right direction for them. You can buy “Automatic Process” from their website and when you purchase the album from their site you also get a free immediate digital download. http://www.homevideo.fm

The band will also be appearing at SXSW March 16-19th, 2011. For more information please go to the bands website: http://www.homevideo.fm/index.php