Kiss Kiss - The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left
Rating
RIYL
CursiveMurder By Death
The Stiletto Formal
Release Date
07/07/2009
Label
Eyeball RecordsTracklist
1. The Best Mistake2. Plague #11
3. Haunted By The Beauty of an Imperfection
4. All They Draw
5. Innocent 1 (The Corruption of Self Through the Introduction of Naturally Existing Self Producing Chemicals)
6. Innocent 2 (A Drop From The Ethereal; Swimming Towards The Crescent Moon)
7. IIIIIIIIIIII
8. Hate
9. Through The Day
10. If They Only Knew
11. Virus
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My first exposure to Kiss Kiss took place when the band opened for Murder By Death in Chapel Hill about two years ago. Not expecting much from the ratty group of New York natives, I idly stood in the back of the venue watching with a nonchalance usually reserved for little-known opening bands. Suddenly, as the band launched through their set of quirky, avant-garde indie rock, I found myself gravitating toward the front of the stage. By the end of the set I was nodding my head and bouncing to the music as if I’d been a fan of the group for years.
From what I’ve read this a typical response to the group’s excellent live show – the music that may at first seem a tad bit over-the-top and theatrical suddenly makes sense when paired with the energy and passion exuded by the band on stage. Reality vs. the Optimist was unlike anything released in 2007, a swirling mix of Cursive and Murder By Death with an eclectic, cinematic edge that wowed listeners in the indie world. Now, with a wealth of touring experience behind them and the backing of Eyeball Records, Kiss Kiss offer up their latest album, The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left.
“The Best Mistake” kicks things off in grandiose fashion with a flurry of violin and keys before settling into their more subdued pace backed by the unique vocals of Josh Benash. It’s immediately apparent that the group has grown more adept at melding their numerous instruments into something more cohesive and not quite as off-the-wall. The band’s penchant for bouncing back and forth between quiet moments and wacky electronic and violin-driven spurts are still ever-present, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you felt about Reality vs. the Optimist.
Four songs into the album, following an unnecessary interlude, the band rips into one of the best songs the group has written - “All They Drew.” The song utilizes soft keys and Benash’s melodic voice to full effect before segueing into a frenetic section that wouldn’t sound completely out of place on a Dillinger Escape Plan record. The song ends on a powerful note with some great violin and keyboard playing, along with the well-placed backing vocals of violinist Rebecca Schlappich, and it shows just how powerful the band can be at their peak.
Unfortunately, the rest of the album is mostly a hit-or-miss affair. “Innocent I” recalls some of the Eastern European influences found on their previous album but suffers from a lack of direction and a grating vocal line, while “Innocent II” offers some post-rock influence but manages to accomplish little in the grand scheme of the album. “Through the Day” is a great Thursday-esque song that is partially tarnished by an unnecessary keyboard effect injected into the song just as it builds to its peak. The majority of the songs on the album provide varying degrees of enjoyment, yet very few offer anything truly memorable. Even the sixteen-minute “Virus” accomplishes little other than showcasing the worst vocal performance I’ve heard all year (let’s just say they remind me of a tone-deaf 18-year-old singing Sigur Rós karaoke).
This is the kind of album that will most likely be very divisive among most listeners. I’m sure many people will vehemently disagree, and, while I don’t necessarily dislike the album, it does feel a notch below the quality and catchiness of Reality vs. the Optimist. Sure, “All They Drew” and “Through the Day” are well-written songs, but there’s little else on The Meek Shall Inherit What’s Left to keep listeners coming back. That said, I will be waiting with open ears for what Kiss Kiss has to offer down the road as I imagine a band with so much creativity can’t be kept down for long.
--Matt Murphy
Comments
Leeds, England
Good review. Has this leaked yet? I wasn't a big fan of their debut - it was listenable, but lacking in something.
How long is this record? Their debut was really short, from what I remember.
"(let’s just say they remind me of a tone-deaf 18-year-old singing Sigur Rós karaoke). " lol. I'd love to see some pissheads singing karaoke Sigur Ros songs... probs sound like dying wales.
New Jersey
I loved Reality vs the Optimist, this one can't leak soon enough.
when i see it in your eyes
i just want to go blind