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Music Reviews
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KingsburyThis Place is Coming Down EP
Self-Released
?
October 1, 2004
Kingsbury's press kit doesn't waste much time before it starts bashing the Orlando music scene, which they call home, as "a scene dominated by unoriginal bands." Unfortunately, having lived in Orlando for the better part of 18 months now, I can't say I necessarily disagree with Kingsbury's assessment of the Orlando music situation.
Their press kit also doesn't hesitate to site such influences as the Pixies, Pink Floyd and Radiohead - pretty lofty company to be keeping for a band from an unoriginal scene. Fortunately, Kingsbury's self released debut EP, This Place is Coming Down, doesn't take much time make good on their claim to have listened to more than enough Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Wilco. I'm assuming here they meant Wilco when they typed the Pixies.
This Place is Coming Down takes a little over 15 minutes to lay down four excellently written, complex pop songs mostly in the vain of their influences with a good amount of shoegazing thrown in. The title track opens the EP up with T.J Burke's pulsating drums. Bruce Reed's vocals, Mark Freeman's bass, Nick Sander's guitar and Riley Anderson's organ barely rise above the drums. Reed's hushed vocals are mixed into the instrumentation throughout the entire EP.
"18 Months" is This Place is Coming Down's standout track, which prominently features Anderson's piano work. Reed drones in the background with revered soaked guitars creating ambient noise. "Been Around's" distorted guitars give off the impression Kingsbury have been listening to plenty of Jesus and Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Again, an Anderson's organ shines through adding vibrancy to the song. This Place is Coming Down wraps up with the ballad, "In Her Grace," which swells to new heights before fading into nothing.
Kingsbury have put together a potent and well recorded debut EP. The entire effort flows well and showcases the bands command of their dynamic range, setting and successfully keeping a rather somber mood throughout. Kingsbury's best mark is that they don't play outside of themselves, instead retreating to slower, softer melodies that don't immediately reveal their potency. It would be a real shame if they aren't picked up and distributed by one label or another. This Place is Coming Down not only introduces a band with real great potential, but one that is already writing mature interesting music.
Their press kit also doesn't hesitate to site such influences as the Pixies, Pink Floyd and Radiohead - pretty lofty company to be keeping for a band from an unoriginal scene. Fortunately, Kingsbury's self released debut EP, This Place is Coming Down, doesn't take much time make good on their claim to have listened to more than enough Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Wilco. I'm assuming here they meant Wilco when they typed the Pixies.
This Place is Coming Down takes a little over 15 minutes to lay down four excellently written, complex pop songs mostly in the vain of their influences with a good amount of shoegazing thrown in. The title track opens the EP up with T.J Burke's pulsating drums. Bruce Reed's vocals, Mark Freeman's bass, Nick Sander's guitar and Riley Anderson's organ barely rise above the drums. Reed's hushed vocals are mixed into the instrumentation throughout the entire EP.
"18 Months" is This Place is Coming Down's standout track, which prominently features Anderson's piano work. Reed drones in the background with revered soaked guitars creating ambient noise. "Been Around's" distorted guitars give off the impression Kingsbury have been listening to plenty of Jesus and Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Again, an Anderson's organ shines through adding vibrancy to the song. This Place is Coming Down wraps up with the ballad, "In Her Grace," which swells to new heights before fading into nothing.
Kingsbury have put together a potent and well recorded debut EP. The entire effort flows well and showcases the bands command of their dynamic range, setting and successfully keeping a rather somber mood throughout. Kingsbury's best mark is that they don't play outside of themselves, instead retreating to slower, softer melodies that don't immediately reveal their potency. It would be a real shame if they aren't picked up and distributed by one label or another. This Place is Coming Down not only introduces a band with real great potential, but one that is already writing mature interesting music.
Reviewed by Craig Mertes
Craig lives, works and listens to music in the general vicinity of Orlando, Florida, where he absorbs everything from hip-hop to indie, pop, rock, punk and metal. His all time favs include Hum, Clutch, Dismemberment Plan, and the Reverend Horton Heat. The last we heard, Craig was spinning Vast Aire, Soul Position, Blues Explosion, Motörhead, the Blood Brothers and Dead Meadow. Craig is also a life-long, die-hard Cubs fan, so lay off.
See other reviews by Craig Mertes
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