This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
1. They Can’t Save Us Now
2. Kennedy
3. 10 More Minutes With You
4. New Heart For Christmas
5. Boys and Girls
6. From Now On
7. Raining All The Time
8. Race the Dream
9. Unwanted
10. Is Anyone Here Alive
11. No One Dreams Anyway
I was very excited for the release of this CD after TWRYer writer Keith turned me on to Kill Hannah. It was before the release of For Never & Ever so all I could do was visit their website and download everything in sight. I couldn’t get enough! The songs were addicting. More, had to have more. The more I heard, the more I had to have. After hearing them I was in love with their music, their lyrics, and most of all their empathy. They’ve been compared to Flock of Seagulls, The Cure, and “Smashing Pumpkins meets Garbage”. When I saw what they looked like, I was shockingly surprised-kind of the Duran Duran of the new generation. In this industry image accounts for so much, as sad as that may be. With that in mind I envisioned their faces emblazoned on bedroom walls from here to China. Bands with this kind of appeal, both musically and image-wise usually have mass appeal to a certain particular demographic. In a word-teenage girls. The reason I’m pointing this out is because I don’t want the image to deter anyone from checking them out. You’d be at a loss.
The songs boast a new age, edgy sound with keyboards and every other kind of sound you can imagine. The great thing about this CD is there is nothing like it out there right now. I absolutely love it. I’ve read many articles and reviews where the reviewer makes a witty joke about the singer sounding female/being female. I’m not about to do that. I think the singer, Mat Devine, who also formed the band, has a voice that reaches inward. It’s easy to call someone a good singer, but it’s another whole level to say you feel someone’s voice, and that’s what he does. He allows you to feel his lyrics, his music, his vibe.
With an electronic symphony to back them, lyrics like “So this is how it is to be alone, your heart beats like it’s cracked and made of stone” from the lead off track They Can’t Save us Now to the dark overtones of Is Anyone Here Alive which questions just that-not only physically but emotionally, you can see how this cd has the potential to reach out and grab ya. (Abra Abra Cadabra..)
The radio ready song Kennedy is about what you might expect-the glitz and glamour of being a Kennedy. Or is it? It’s one of those songs that you have to dance to, under a glitter sky, where you feel like you’re the only person in the world with your arms outstretched.
I don’t want to take anything away from the rest of the band so let me introduce them. They are: Dan Wiese on guitar, Jon Radtke on guitar and synth, Greg Corner on bass and Garret Hammond on drums and percussion. Mat seems to be the glue that binds but he certainly couldn’t do it without these guys.
Before getting signed they were hitting the streets in Chicago getting many local accolades, I’m glad Atlantic decided to share them with the rest of us. Do yourself a favor and check them out. You can hear a few of the tracks off of this cd on their website: http://www.killhannah.com. They’re also touring as we speak so check the dates, I have yet to see them live but I’m working on it.
Coincidentally, I heard Kennedy last night in the background of the WB show One Tree Hill. Groovy.
Mat-I love your words. Do an interview with us!
Keep on keepin on’....
Reviewed by: Mary Ouellette | December 2004
