Every so often I hear a band and make such a strong connection to the music that it becomes hard to even convey through words. Stranger Kings is one of those bands. It is a band that must be experienced by listening and it is an album that makes a connection in your soul. Fans of The Lassie Foundation will be pleased to hear Eric Campuzano (guitar) in action again, with a compelling band that also includes Herb Grimaud (bass), Holly Nelson (vocals) and Brady Esquivel (drums).
The Stranger Kings have completed a full length release of dynamic sounds and an aura that embodies the framework of what I would categorize as new wave or neo-psychedelia music. There is such a diverse element to each of the nine songs on their first full length release, and it elegantly spans musical genres and defies attempts to characterize or classify. When I first listened to this album I was really taken by the immense beauty of the music itself; there are elements of ambient, shoegaze, new wave and a healthy feeling of 80’s alternative/pop music completed by seamless layers and a monumental nod to the poetic beauty that lies in a very inwardly focused and contemplative perspective. It’s a unique record that carries the listener and creates a sincere appreciation for beauty that’s delivered in a very fluid and dreamy way.
The lyrics and the music are infused so perfectly that both compliment and protect each other in an exceptionally precise manner. This album is both pensive and joyous, thought provoking and analytical in beauty. The lyrics are poetic and the vocals are delivered in such a way that they ride the music and then crash and break against the backdrop of the experienced sound that has been created. This is a defining first release for a band. Stranger Kings have created a sonic drug, a stimulant for the mind and the emotions. This is music that creates a vibe, it paints a picture and carries you on a journey that is emotional and ever changing, and it carries you to a place strangely familiar, but equally treads new ground.
[2014 Northern Records | Purchase: store.northernrecords.com]
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