Killer
CDs: Simple Kid – Simple Kid 1
By Brad Podray
There's definitely something worthwhile
about Simple Kid. Bear in mind this beginning sentence replaced several
sentences which have been now deleted. The deleted sentences were
written furiously while hearing the first minute of opening track, "Hello."
At first, this review was being written to insult the album and everyone
who might like it...then something happened.
My typing began to slow, and I deleted
the sentence containing the terms "worthless,” "utter garbage", and "eskimo
fodder"(needless to say, this was one hell of a sentence).I think I was
beginning to like it. Lyrics and sounds which only moments earlier grated
on my ears like a large ear-grating machine now hit them in the happy spot.
By the end of the track, the odd voice, sound choice, and melodies were
firmly implanted in my head much like the bomb also implanted there which
is set to go off if I go more than two days without putting peanut butter
on my neighbor's doorknob...er.
Back to the album review.
"Hello" is followed by "Truck On," a song
with the same general groove but more chilled out. By this point,
Simple Kid's got me listening pretty intently. It's original and
very refreshing. If more of this kind of stuff was on the radio,
I might ignore it just a little bit less. I don't really like reviews
that highlight each track and talk about it (although I may end up doing
reviews in that style eventually just for the hell of it), so I'm going
to point out some quality stuff and then wrap up the review rather then
summarize every damn song. I like the way that Simple Kid songs build.
Layers of synthesis and rock elements blend
very well. Melodies are innovative and original. I'll take
this moment to compliment the enjoyable, head-bobbing synthetic goodness
that resides in the introduction to the song, "Drugs." If you
don't hear anything else on the CD, listen to this song. In my opinion,
it's definitely the best track. As for the other tracks, they each
have their memorable moments. Tracks like "Breakups Breakdowns" and
"No News" have a distinct psychedelic edge to them.
Simple Kid's style is hard to describe,
adding abstraction with a unique, satirical sense of humor. Utilization
of synthesis and a wide variety of instrumentation(from harmonicas
to orchestral samples) give Simple Kid's first album, Simple Kid 1, a replayability
that is found very rarely in new music. The songs are diverse enough
to keep my interest throughout the whole CD. It's true that I definitely
did not like it on initial listen,
but the originality hit me in the face
like a sack of potatoes swung by a viking. Part rock, part electronica,
part avant-garde weird folk would be how I'd describe Simple Kid's sound.
Now, I'd like to take this moment to say
that Simple Kid's originality is very commendable for a pretty large commercial
release, but it is by no means earth-shattering in the world of music.
(As any Einsturzende Neubauten fan can tell you, it's gonna be tough for
someone new to come around these days with something that is truly original
anymore). That's the only even remotely bad thing I have to say about
it. It's invigoratingly original, but more so to the pop audience
than anyone else. In my opinion, Simple Kid might be too original
for the mainstream public to handle, as most of them are just idiots.
To sum up: Simple Kid sought a niche and
fit it like a glove. It's the only new rock I
can think of off-hand that I don't despise.
This is a thank you to Simple Kid for not sucking.
Sure to please: Lots of people. Beck
fans, indie rock fans.
Sure to disappoint: Nu-metal fans, bitter
Beck fans, rap fans.
CD Info
Simple
Kid – Simple Kid 1
Label: Vector
Recordings
Rating: 
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