The Kinison - 'What Are You Listening To?' (Atlantic)
2/5
By: Matt Tomiak
Flaunting a slogan as brazen as 'We are loud and anonymous', as The Kinison do here on the sleeve of their debut album, would seem to be tempting fate somewhat. It's not an entirely unproven claim.
Unlike the 'Parental Advisory' warning sharing space on the cover; the band don't so much write lyrics as reel off schizophrenic sound-bites with the occasional profanity included, while their break-neck paced emo is played at earsplitting volume and doesn't seemingly possess any truly remarkable qualities. Irk.
So, writhing around in white-noise paroxysms of shrill, jagged rock (think early Idlewild in their pre-tune days) 'What Are You Listening To' is a lively, rough-around-the-edges dιbut that also remains quite underdeveloped.
At their best - the frankly disturbing 'You'll Never Guess Who Dies' - the band resemble Hot Hot Heat having a naοve stab at Joy Division, striking venom pumping throughout, whilst 'American Collectibles' recalls the bubbly, choppy pop of The Futureheads. Investing more restraint and melody could see The Kinison evolve into something superior.
Artists in this article: The Kinison
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