What Are You Listening To?,
The Kinison“What Are You Listening To?” is The Kinison’s debut major release on U.K soil after 5 years of busting their arses off across the pond day and night. After a minor 2002 release, the band finally scored lucky with Atlantic Records who put faith in the young five-piece from California’s sound, and notably their extensive work ethic.
One of the major advantages this album has over many bands around doing similar sorts of things is its fantastic production. Although “What Are You Listening To?” was only recorded in 15 days, it was produced by legendary duo Pelle Hendricsson and Eskil Lovestrom, (Refused, Poison The Well, Hell Is For Heroes to name a few…) giving the band that fantastic raw, live sound, which maintains energy and power whilst opening up to all the different sounds, allowing the wonderful melodies The Kinison create, to break through. Stand out tracks are the energetic and powerful “Oh Boy That Girl Can Move,” and the incredibly short but sweet, “I Have Something To Say.” Along side the up beat, melodic and bouncy “American Collectibles,” The Kinison combine a whole host of bands influence to create their sound, I would say small aspects of The Used vocally, and although a slight musical comparison can be drawn to Bert’s men, there are more cleaner sounds here like The Killers and the similar indie-rock scene on British soil coming through. You could probably sit there all day trying to name band after band, but the fact is The Kinison can look after themselves.
Although I throw a slight look of suspect at track 6, “Every Genius Has Their Hang-Ups” and its likeness to Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Can’t Stop” (intentional or not, I believe the song lets the band down a great deal,) The Kinison are a wonderful excuse to enjoy lively, raw music and its best, with stacks of musicianship.
Pete
www.thekinison.com
