New Albums That I Ain’t Mad At: Kaleo’s A/B
 |
| Trust me, guys. They're cool. |
Tired of this weak-ass indie rock Pandora’s been feeding you lately? Me too, man. But in a world of musical swill, what are we to do? Fret not, friends - the future of rock and roll is not as dire as it would appear.
If you’re on the hunt for something a little bluesier, look no further than Kaleo’s A/B, which dropped June of this year. Just from listening to these fellas, you’d swear they were a couple good ‘ol boys...and you would be very, very wrong. Hailing all the way from Mosfellsbær, Iceland, these dudes give the rebel-flag wavin’ Southern rockers a run for their money.
The first track, No Good was widely popularized in HBO’s hit series, Vinyl. Channeling the likes of ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and even Canned Heat, JJ’s vocals are in fact, closer to the bellows of a wild animal. The drums sit comfortably at the back of the mix, giving it a cool retro feel. No wonder Scorcese and Jagger dug this tune.
The next track, Way Down Below has also charted in Canada and the United States. JJ’s vocals are just as raspy and delicious on this track, possessing a haunting simplicity. One of the most significant elements of this song is its use of musical space. Few artists are able to grasp the importance of this concept, but even fewer can master it. Hats off to you fellas.
If you’re a fan of Delta blues, you are going to go bananas for Broken Bones. Not only did the band do a brilliant job of breathing new life into the oldest form of blues, but the production is absolutely spot on. The track features stomping, clapping, and some spooky touches of dark gospel.
All the Pretty Girls, while strong on its own, doesn’t quite fit the tone of the rest of the album. Still pretty folksy, it sounds a little more like early Bon Iver or The Lumineers than the country/blues rock the rest of the album is built around.
The solid Southern rock sound of Glass House reassures us that rock sure as hell ain’t dead. The upbeat tune would also fit the bill as a drinking song. Whiskey, preferably...but on second thought, maybe these brothers would prefer Brennivín. A little riff-rocky, Rubin serves up a guitar solo of Viking proportions, mid-track. We also get a little glimpse of Davíð’s chops on skins, which far surpasses ‘meat and potatoes.’
Automobile is again, a little bit more on the folk/bluegrass side of things with a twangier, toned down approach. I ain’t even mad. When JJ says he might go all the way down to Mexico, I just imagine the whole band setting sail in a longship. Quite a trek if you ask me. In short, this twangy little ditty is sure to capture your heart.
Save Yourself is also pretty minimalistic, but delivers a healthy dose of the feels. If this tune doesn’t make your nipples harden, you should probably consult your physician.
It’s clear to see that Kaleo’s had some pretty solid influences over the years, and have something both new and familiar to offer music. From the nitty gritty details of songwriting and composition to their slightly different approach to production, these boys have done a whole lot right so far. While I think they could work towards developing a more uniform sound, I’m absolutely stoked to see how they hone their skills in albums to come.
Until next time, stay groovy.
-A
The solid Southern rock sound of Glass House reassures us that rock sure as hell ain’t dead. The upbeat tune would also fit the bill as a drinking song. Whiskey, preferably...but on second thought, maybe these brothers would prefer Brennivín. A little riff-rocky, Rubin serves up a guitar solo of Viking proportions, mid-track. We also get a little glimpse of Davíð’s chops on skins, which far surpasses ‘meat and potatoes.’
Automobile is again, a little bit more on the folk/bluegrass side of things with a twangier, toned down approach. I ain’t even mad. When JJ says he might go all the way down to Mexico, I just imagine the whole band setting sail in a longship. Quite a trek if you ask me. In short, this twangy little ditty is sure to capture your heart.
Save Yourself is also pretty minimalistic, but delivers a healthy dose of the feels. If this tune doesn’t make your nipples harden, you should probably consult your physician.
It’s clear to see that Kaleo’s had some pretty solid influences over the years, and have something both new and familiar to offer music. From the nitty gritty details of songwriting and composition to their slightly different approach to production, these boys have done a whole lot right so far. While I think they could work towards developing a more uniform sound, I’m absolutely stoked to see how they hone their skills in albums to come.
Until next time, stay groovy.
-A