I've been meaning to do this write-up for a while now. I love this record.
Kindling is this noisey shoegaze band out of Western MA featuring Andy and Stephen of
Ampere fame. The band blends elements of 90's grunge with think and sometimes cosmic shoegaze parts. This baby was released on the legendary
No Idea Records, too. So good!
The
record opens with probably my favorite track "Blinding Wave." There is this great driving bass / guitar riff that kills. When we get to the chorus part the guitar takes on this cosmic swirl that compliments the vocals so well. I love the vocals. This song moves. It kicks in right away and it's so steady and thumping throughout. I get a heavy 90's influenced grunge thing. Like if Pearl Jam had a female singer and played dirtier, or something. Oh, and towards the end where it sounds like its over with these rad spaced out hits, and it kicks back in to that opening part, yes!
"While Away" is slower and more grungy and fuzzed out. The opening is so nice. Drawn out and then the songs kicks in. Guitars are soaring again. I love that. The riffs are so cool. They are muffled and fuzzy but stand out so well among the murk. This song has some great stand out parts. They are all like small little transition fills or riffs and only happen once. It's like a whole bunch of little surprises. Andy's drumming is on point.
"Painkiller" has that nice feedback opener and then into heavy shoegaze heaven. Such a headbanger. Jamming out in the front row, pushed up against the kick drum just banging away. These songs all feel like they should be played in a film. Maybe Lost In Translation. I can picture this one during the end where Bill Murray is driving away before the credits. The chorus part in this one is so good! I get a Sunny Day Real Estate vibe and I want to watch Pete and Pete. Man, I need to see this band live. This is tied for my favorite track. They lay on that last part for a good while. Perfect amount of time and the end is so rad!
The record closes with the shortest track "Coastal." Straight forward, such great drum fills, and heavy riffs. This one needs a few listens. The vocals here too! Nevermind what I said about favorite tracks, They are all too good. This is a great ender track though and the fact that this is a 4 song 12" ep just means you need to spin it a few times!
See this band when you can.
Grab the record from
No Idea!
Stream
here.
Look for a full length!
