Labels: Initial Records
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Well, you’ve got to hand it to King For A Day, at least they have some decent new records in their collection. Alas, they have no more ambition than just to play music in the style of TexasIsThePromiseRing, and when you compare them to similar sounding giants of midwest USA, then KFAD lurk worryingly quietly in the rather immense shadows that are cast. I have a tough time being hard on stuff that sounds nice, it’s not easy being mean, but now is the time…
It’s not that this is bad, far from it. Both songs on here merrily rock a long, it’s just, well, I wish they’d innovate. Well, maybe not innovate, but at least figure out how to catch the listener’s attention with some awesome sound instead of ploughing over old ground so obviously.
First up, “Sleeping Hero”, a rather long emo pop rocker. It starts off all moody and slow, with the vocalist impersonating Davey Von Bohlen. Sounds a little orchestral at times, dunno if thats being clever with the guitar sound, or just luck. Then, as it goes a long, it gets more crunchy and Texas Is The Reason like, and they even do pacy pop punk for a brief moment later. Hey! A bit of everything. How clever. Goes on way to long and recycles itself endlessly, it’s just that there are so many bits, the band expect you to forget this.
Over on the B, and we have a much shorter song in “Lazy”. Hmm, a song about me. Anyway, more of that melodic and poppy emocore stuff. And yeah, it’s certainly listenable. But when you can have the best, there is no need to bother with this.
So, not a brilliant effort from a bunch of impressionists. Nice packaging though.