Kylesa - "Static Tensions"

This is my first record review of something I have been digging lately. Let me know what you think of the album if you pick it up.

First off, I need to mention that I had not heard Kylesa before this release, and I've yet to go back and check out anything else they've released. Some friends whose taste I usually trust never say anything good about this band so I always hesitated. However, Last.fm has recommended this band to me every time I log on, so I decided I should finally check out the new record; and I am glad I did. I think you should do yourself a favor and check out this album without any preconceived notions of this band.

Kylesa has two drummers, live and on the recordings. Being a drummer, I think this is a huge part as to why I love this record so much. The percussion is often simple and tribal, but very powerful and heavy-as-shit. For the most part, the drummers are playing the same thing and at times almost sound like a single kit. But then other times (like the toms during the beginning of "Unknown Awareness") it sounds like a marching band's worth of drummers playing their cadence and heading straight for you.

I really dig the occasional psychedelic tones that some of the songs have, especially on the closing track "To Walk Alone." It's nice to hear a band like this taking some chances and being successful in the end, without being overly experimental and boring. I like that the there are no six minute songs on this record. I love the dual male-female vocals. The flow is perfect and there is enough variety that it never looses my attention. So far, this is looking to be one of my favorite records of 2009.

P.S. Check out the song below. It's not very good audio quality, but should give you an idea of what to expect. Go to their Myspace page to hear my favorite track on the record, "Unknown Awareness." Also, do yourself a favor and listen to this album with headphones.

Standout tracks: Unknown Awareness, Only One, Almost Lost, Nature's Predators
Recommended if you enjoy: Torche, Helms Alee, Baroness, Zozobra

Kylesa - Scapegoat

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