atticusfinch
08/19/08, 09:43 PM
The Reign of Kindo - Rhythm, Chord, and Melody
Record Label: One Eleven Records
Release Date: August 19, 2008
It's rare today that a band can find a way to present an existing musical genre and find a way to make it something revolutionary and fresh. With Rhythm, Chord, and Melody, The Reign of Kindo does just that. Last year when Jeff Martin, former lead vocalist of indie-pop group This Day and Age called it quits, the remaining members were left with a decision; do they continue to write music or turn to other venues in their lives? Thankfully for us all, they went with the decision to press on, and we've been blessed with not only last year's fantastic debut EP, but a new collection of songs that stand above and beyond in every possible category from the majority of bands in this current scene we all suffer through.
The Reign of Kindo kicks things off on the new jazz-infused album with the tantalizing "The Moments In Between," a lyrical and sonic work of genius that continues the jazzy vibes of the EP. Lyrically, the band shines on this opening track, with a chorus to die for - "Oh my God, What have I become? / I feel the fire burn / burn 'til I'm undone / never to return." A lovely piano riff skips over the distinct vocals of lead singer/guitarist Joseph Secchiaroli. The next track throws the listener for a lyrical loop which makes listening to the song a bit unnerving upon first listen. However, as explained in a recent article on Absolutepunk.net, the listener realized this is simply an urban legend lyrically. Does it make it any less unsettling? No. In fact, I wish this song had different lyrics, because the melodies are simply haunting and a joy to listen to. Even in the chorus, where the lyrics are most disturbing with lines like "won't stop tearing him limb from limb," when Secchiaroli sings "Breathe Again," the listener will find it difficult to get that catchy melody out of his or her head.
From here, the band presents two five-minute epics in "Great Blue Sea" and "Let it Go." These two tracks provide the listener with not only some phenomenal lyrics (especially on "Great Blue Sea") but some very unforgettable musical composition, duly noted on "Great Blue Sea's" subtle but gripping guitar tones throughout the song. "Let it Go" gives the listener a very bluesy feel with a great drum beat and guitar riff throughout the song. Most listeners will find this track very easy to identify with, as it discusses toying with the idea of giving up some security in a relationship that's keeping you from being happy. It's one of the lighter tracks on the album before it takes an absolutely enthralling turn into the moody and melancholy.
After the first half of the album, we are given what is probably my favorite track on the entire album, the title track. In fact, tracks 8-10 bring the album from a few decent songs into an fantastic display of beauty; any lighthearted mood on this album is traded in for a darker yet much more satisfying and relaxing tone. The entirely instrumental title track takes the listener to a far off place as a saxophone strings your heart along a piano ballad which holds on and never lets go. The band gets outstanding approval here for instrumentation and really pushing the boundaries of their talents. The result is an undeniable realization that the listener has truly been taken on a musical diversion from the mundane and meaningless as the listener finds themselves in a sonically beautiful place.
The end of the title track fades perfectly into the next song, "I Hear That Music Play." Hearing these two songs live will be a real treat as they complement each other quite well, and takes what has been a very good album to this point and transforms it into a great album. The remaining two tracks provide the listener with a very relaxing ending and remnants of a lighthearted mood are heard on "Morning Cloud," before the closing track, "Hold Out," which gives the listener a soft transition out through a lovely piano and drum combo, with haunting vocals laced throughout. The chorus to this song is very uplifting and with lyrics like these, it's not difficult to grasp why: "I just can't give in / to this world so jaded I'm living in / I'll hold out for something else / something bigger than / something better than / something I can stand to find."
One thing I've noticed with this album is the long track length of the majority of the songs. This is probably the most attractive element here, as the listener is truly given a great experience where they can get lost in the music. The average track time is just under five minutes, which really gives the listener time to get lost in the song. I also absolutely love the use of the saxophone on this album. It really gives the songs a flavor of their own and sets this band apart from the mix and mess of the scene.
The Reign of Kindo has really presented something special here. With a lyrical prowess to be reckoned with, and musical onslaught of jazz-fusion, there's not much to dislike here. Other than "Breathe Again," I don't find myself wanting to skip a track on the entire album, and the more I listen to each song, the more I want to see this band get huge. This Day and Age had a lot to offer, but what The Reign of Kindo has presented here is musically heads above This Day and Age. When this band tours this fall, go out and support them. Don't worry, they'll give back to you in the best of ways, by gracing your ears with some of the best songs in the scene currently.
This Day and Age; Stars; Lydia
myspace.com/thereignofkindo (http://www.myspace.com/thereignofkindo)
Record Label: One Eleven Records
Release Date: August 19, 2008
It's rare today that a band can find a way to present an existing musical genre and find a way to make it something revolutionary and fresh. With Rhythm, Chord, and Melody, The Reign of Kindo does just that. Last year when Jeff Martin, former lead vocalist of indie-pop group This Day and Age called it quits, the remaining members were left with a decision; do they continue to write music or turn to other venues in their lives? Thankfully for us all, they went with the decision to press on, and we've been blessed with not only last year's fantastic debut EP, but a new collection of songs that stand above and beyond in every possible category from the majority of bands in this current scene we all suffer through.
The Reign of Kindo kicks things off on the new jazz-infused album with the tantalizing "The Moments In Between," a lyrical and sonic work of genius that continues the jazzy vibes of the EP. Lyrically, the band shines on this opening track, with a chorus to die for - "Oh my God, What have I become? / I feel the fire burn / burn 'til I'm undone / never to return." A lovely piano riff skips over the distinct vocals of lead singer/guitarist Joseph Secchiaroli. The next track throws the listener for a lyrical loop which makes listening to the song a bit unnerving upon first listen. However, as explained in a recent article on Absolutepunk.net, the listener realized this is simply an urban legend lyrically. Does it make it any less unsettling? No. In fact, I wish this song had different lyrics, because the melodies are simply haunting and a joy to listen to. Even in the chorus, where the lyrics are most disturbing with lines like "won't stop tearing him limb from limb," when Secchiaroli sings "Breathe Again," the listener will find it difficult to get that catchy melody out of his or her head.
From here, the band presents two five-minute epics in "Great Blue Sea" and "Let it Go." These two tracks provide the listener with not only some phenomenal lyrics (especially on "Great Blue Sea") but some very unforgettable musical composition, duly noted on "Great Blue Sea's" subtle but gripping guitar tones throughout the song. "Let it Go" gives the listener a very bluesy feel with a great drum beat and guitar riff throughout the song. Most listeners will find this track very easy to identify with, as it discusses toying with the idea of giving up some security in a relationship that's keeping you from being happy. It's one of the lighter tracks on the album before it takes an absolutely enthralling turn into the moody and melancholy.
After the first half of the album, we are given what is probably my favorite track on the entire album, the title track. In fact, tracks 8-10 bring the album from a few decent songs into an fantastic display of beauty; any lighthearted mood on this album is traded in for a darker yet much more satisfying and relaxing tone. The entirely instrumental title track takes the listener to a far off place as a saxophone strings your heart along a piano ballad which holds on and never lets go. The band gets outstanding approval here for instrumentation and really pushing the boundaries of their talents. The result is an undeniable realization that the listener has truly been taken on a musical diversion from the mundane and meaningless as the listener finds themselves in a sonically beautiful place.
The end of the title track fades perfectly into the next song, "I Hear That Music Play." Hearing these two songs live will be a real treat as they complement each other quite well, and takes what has been a very good album to this point and transforms it into a great album. The remaining two tracks provide the listener with a very relaxing ending and remnants of a lighthearted mood are heard on "Morning Cloud," before the closing track, "Hold Out," which gives the listener a soft transition out through a lovely piano and drum combo, with haunting vocals laced throughout. The chorus to this song is very uplifting and with lyrics like these, it's not difficult to grasp why: "I just can't give in / to this world so jaded I'm living in / I'll hold out for something else / something bigger than / something better than / something I can stand to find."
One thing I've noticed with this album is the long track length of the majority of the songs. This is probably the most attractive element here, as the listener is truly given a great experience where they can get lost in the music. The average track time is just under five minutes, which really gives the listener time to get lost in the song. I also absolutely love the use of the saxophone on this album. It really gives the songs a flavor of their own and sets this band apart from the mix and mess of the scene.
The Reign of Kindo has really presented something special here. With a lyrical prowess to be reckoned with, and musical onslaught of jazz-fusion, there's not much to dislike here. Other than "Breathe Again," I don't find myself wanting to skip a track on the entire album, and the more I listen to each song, the more I want to see this band get huge. This Day and Age had a lot to offer, but what The Reign of Kindo has presented here is musically heads above This Day and Age. When this band tours this fall, go out and support them. Don't worry, they'll give back to you in the best of ways, by gracing your ears with some of the best songs in the scene currently.
This Day and Age; Stars; Lydia
myspace.com/thereignofkindo (http://www.myspace.com/thereignofkindo)