Like a Stranger...No More

The existence of LA-based band Kitten came to my attention not by way of oral recommendation from another music enthusiast, not by way of spontaneous sound-identification via Shazam, but by way of of an unpredictable source: browsing the thumbnail pages of coverlandia.net, an online digital art community where users post their modified renditions of artists' album artwork. The user in question, Koalesse, posted a stunning reworking of the band's self-titled album artwork that instantly caught my eye -- the piece exuded an early 1980's post-punk underground aesthetic. Lead singer Chloe Chaidez adorns the cover, front row and center, with her faux-fur coat, tousled hair, and tenacious pose.

Reconfigured album artwork conceived by Koalesse,
Courtesy of Coverlandia.net

Visuals aside, the bands sound was a complete mystery to me. However that mystery immediately transformed into intrigue, after stumbling upon "Like a Stranger" online (the band current single). Sixty-seconds in, I found myself completely immersed in the musical gestalt characterize by pulsating synths, heavy electronic base, bouncing rhythm guitar, and Chloe's prowl-like "ha-hoo-hing" vocal affectation, before it surrendered to her lead counterpart, which would come sweeping in and take command of this musical affair. At this juncture, I descended deeper into my curious state, wanting to explore what lies beyond this "Stranger".  So I did...

One of the benefits of living in the "streaming music online" age (via Rdio, Spotify, or more recently, Apple music) is the ability to use it as a tool to fully preview albums. If it meets the criteria of being "vinyl worth", which is, an album that can sustain the listener's appeal, front to back, without bypassing a single track, and more importantly, bears repeating, then I will go to great lengths to seek it out on vinyl format. Fortunately, "Like a Stranger" was no fluke, and after three rounds of their 2014 full-length self-titled album via Rdio, I was hooked! Next stop, vinyl city...

Produced by Chad Anderson and Gavin Mackillop, KITTEN (the album) is an amalgamate of new and previously released material: eighties-infused "Like a Stranger', "Doubt" and "I'll Be Your Girl" formerly appeared on their 2013 EP release, LIKE A STRANGER, while nineties alternative-rock drenched "Cut it Out" and "G#", were lifted off their 2011 EP release, CUT IT OUT. These five tracks are presented here in unaltered, original form. "Kill the Lights", a track that originally appeared on the band's first EP release, 2010's SUNDAY SCHOOL, is the only recycled track that has been subjected to a serious reconstruction in sound. However, the results are stellar, and far superior to the original recording. Chloe's re-recorded vocals display more range and gusto, as they ride the waves dictated by the stark nature of the song's lyrics and symphonic arrangements.  It packs a vigorous punch each time it escalates and lands in the chorus region. Amped-up guitars and dynamic drums collide with Chloe's high-powered vocals, while sparse electronic church bells dance lightly in the background. With each listen, you can ensure a spine-tingling reaction (or two). A definite album highlight.

The vinyl edition of KITTEN contains a lyrics insert,
as well as a voucher to download the entire album
in MP3 format, bonus track "Lia" is included.

As for the newly-committed to wax tracks: "Sex Drive" and "Devotion" perpetuate the sexually-charged stride exemplified in "Like a Stranger" and "I'll Be Your Girl", engulfed in a neon-wash of eighties sonic landscapes; "Sensible" duels between a cacophonous  environment accentuated by distorted-incoherent punk vocals,  and erratic instrumentation, but occasionally seeks refuge to more calmer grounds, painted by a pacing kick-drum, rhythmic guitar and bass line, allowing Chloe's wistful vocals to momentarily breath and plea, before succumbing to another thunderous assault of sound; "While I Wait" and "Cathedral", bookend the placement of "G#" on the record, create a sequence that explore more delicate grounds: lighter-raising, swaying, mild-motion head banging grooves that anchor the listener in, and allowing them to drown in a sea of passionate decrescendos and crescendos. "Cathedral" features a spine-tingling saxophone solo that culminates graciously by the second run, one cannot help but raise their hands in the air by the sound of this, particularly the climatic build-up and crashing of percussion that illuminate the track, moments before it takes it grand exit. "Apples and Cigarettes" is the albums closer, with it's minimalist execution, reminiscent of a acoustic coffee-shop confessional.

A magnificent introduction to a band that has been making its rounds since 2010, KITTEN, the album, perfectly encapsulates sonic textures that the band has a penchant for: eighties-style new-wave, synth-pop tinged melodies, juxtaposed to the hardness and rawness of nineties alternative-rock. One can easily forgo what came before this release, however it will eventually be of interest if the listener is keen on tracking the evolution of the Kitten sound. Rolling Stone has taken notice of the band, particularly this release, but adding it to their top pop albums list of 2014, placing the record at number 16 on the list. That's just reinforcement though, perhaps enough to ignite interest and encourage the reader to get acquainted with this stranger that dwells somewhere in the congested, current musical landscape.


RECOMMENDED TRACKS:
Like a Stranger (below), Sex Drive, I'll Be Your Girl, Devotion

PLAY IT LOUD:
Kill the Lights (below), Cathedral

Drastic Measures

Before music streaming, browsing used music shops was a great source to feed my appetite for "new" tunes back in the mid-late 90's, during a time when the CD format was king, and my love for the vinyl format was criticized and ridiculed by my peers.

Before the resurgence of vinyl records in the mid-late 2000's, used records were in abundance, cheap and unaffected by "hipster prices". For a fair price (0.50 - $2), one could easily take a chance on sampling "new" sonic territory (Note: I use the term "new" loosely as it does not stay within the confines of what is associated with the current calendar year, but redefining it as a concept of prior ignorance towards the existence of something previously unnoticed, and the joys of discovering it for the first time).

Lisa Dal Bello's 1981 album, Drastic Measures, stands at the forefront of my mind as the first album that I took that chance with, without having previous knowledge of who she was, what she did, and what she had accomplished in her musical career.

The album artwork was what caught my eye: Lisa with her off-the-shoulder zip-up sweater, sporting a chunky sweatband...one couldn't help but draw comparison to Olivia Newton John's Physical album cover, coincidentally, released the same year. My preconceived notions were, based on the album artwork alone, was that this album would be a full-blow, synth-drench musical affair, ideal to accompany aerobic activity. However, after a few rotations, the phrase "never judge a book by its cover" resonated louder than ever.

Original album cover

The first four tracks on Drastic Measure pack a fierce punch, all showcasing Lisa's robust, high-powered vocals, accompanied by tight-rhythmic, rolling percussion, punctuated by gritty electric guitars and light trickles of new-wave style synthesizers...all on a foundation of meticulously crafted chords and melodies. Jim Vallance, known for his songwriting partnership with Bryan Adams, lends basic production skills to three of the albums stand out tracks: "Just Like You", "Dr. Noble" and album closer, "Stereo Madness", which is perhaps one of the best tracks off the album with it's eerie, hovering synth pad presence, slow burning melody, and of course, Lisa's sultry vocal delivery, which is also showcased on the rock-ballad "She Wants to Know". "Stereo Madness" ultimately crescendos to an irresistible doubled guitar solo that takes the listener right to the fade out (who can resist a fade-out). Other stand-out tracks are the hard-rock driven, head-banging melody of "Bad Timing" and "It's Over", with it's icy robotic, vocoder solo, a perfect accompaniment to the apathetic lyrics. 

Bryan Adams contributed his co-writing talents to three of the track ("Never Get to Heaven", "You Could Be Good For Me", "She Wants to Know"), as well as her mother, Yolanda Dalbello ("Princess Telephone", "Dr. Noble"). Guest musicians on this record are Canadian songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Ben Mink, who provides a wonderfully raw and upbeat electric violin solo on "Just Like You"; Bruce Rob (formerly of the Robbs) electronic Organ solo [Hammond B-3],on "It's Over"; and Jeff Baxter, known for his work with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, adorns the tracks "She Wants to Know" and "What Your Mama Don't Know" with his seasoned guitar skills, worthy of the engagement of "air-guitaring".

Alternate US album cover
Clearly a product of it's time with the asymmetrical, torn construction paper, grid design..

This marvelously overlooked pop/rock gem was produced by Bob Esty (for Fave Rave Productions), who is best known by disco music aficionados for his contributions to soundtrack work (Roller Boogie) and musical acts like The Pointer Sisters, Donna Summer, Cher, Paul Jabara and Barbra Streisand. Although his name is predominately associated with the Disco genre, Bob Esty was just as skilled at crafting energetic sharp, pop/rock numbers as he was with pulsating, disco tunes.

Why is this record worth checking out? For one, it's littered with home-grown talent. Plus, Lisa Dal Bello is one of those Canadian artists that I feel is grossly underrated. Only a handful of people, specifically music enthusiasts, know who she is and will acknowledge her incredible talents. As well, Drastic Measures is, to put it simply, an "all killer and no filler" record. It is one of those albums that will creep up to you when you least expect it, and you will find yourself repeating tracks/sides, and ultimately, caught in the web of its musical spell.

I might have been drawn in by the album cover - and hey, with a $2 price tag - worth the gamble.  This gamble paid off - like so many others I will be writing about in the future. Take a chance, discover great music and expect the unexpected.

Introduction...

Welcome to WAX CANDY... soon to be prominent home of the lesser known and obscure, audibly irresistible nonetheless.

Like visual art, musical tastes are exteremly subjective. What is critically praised from one end, can be maliciously torn to pieces on another. And in some cases, some things fall completely off the radar, but picked up by those who notice something redeeming and worth praising. Example, Velvet Underground & Nico's 1967 self-titled release, largely ignored by critics and the public upon release. However, it was the power of "word of mouth" that brought this record to the forefront, praised and acknowledge by (aspiring) bands. Allow me to illustrate with an excerpt from Wikipedia.org:

"It was not until a decade later that the album started to receive almost unanimous praise by numerous rock critics, many of whom made particular note of its influence in modern rock music. Robert Christgau in his 1977 retrospective review of 1967 said "it never stops getting better".^[22] In The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (1998), Colin Larkin called it a "powerful collection" that "introduced Reed's decidedly urban infatuations, a fascination for street culture and amorality bordering on voyeurism."^[23] In April 2003, Spin led their "Top Fifteen Most Influential Albums of All Time" list with the album.^[28] On November 12, 2000, NPR included it in their "NPR 100" series of "the most important American musical works of the 20th century".^[29] Rolling Stone placed it at number 13 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time in November 2003 calling it the most prophetic rock album ever made."

So, perhaps the objective of this blog is to revisit not the "know" classics, but those records that are "lesser know", records (albums) that exude an infectiously indomitable quality that will make one consistently flip sides, repeat tracks and/or albums...to potentially bring a little more joy to someone's life and possibly inspire :)

Enjoy!