ALBUM REVIEW: Shake The Spins – Kitner
Do you ever look back fondly on the 00s? When emo was in full swing, MTV still showed music videos and you spent most of your time making sure your emo fringe hung perfectly and you more or less couldn’t see out of one eye? Of course you do, and thanks to KITNER‘s debut full-length Shake The Spins all of that fun stuff is acceptable again as they are bringing emo back in a big way. The band have their own brand of emo that sounds familiar and comforting. It’s altogether breezy and feel-good, whilst the lyrics are introspective and flow easily. These guys are very much inspired by bands like THE GET UP KIDS, a band with whom any former real emo kid will be familiar. As great as you are, step aside MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE!
Shake The Spins kicks off with the instrumental Hi-Fi Time which builds up just to show off the musical talent behind this band and leads perfectly into Suddenly which sounds a lot more like what we’re expecting. It sounds just like the sort of emo songs we’re used to and it’s so comforting even though it’s a brand new song. It feels like home. Will Buiel’s drumming is something to pick up on. It’s really tight and really holds the band together. He’s not super complex or extreme which is great as it feels a little more minimal which is exactly what the band needs.
Conor Maier handles both guitar and vocals, and James Christopher plays guitar too, and the way these two bounce of each other creates some really interesting. They provide some really great parts that can be heard especially on songs like Bowery and Junebug. They build on each other and create the breezy feeling these guys are going for with this debut. This is particularly clear on Junebug which has a very swingy feeling and sounds like an old note to self and feels nostalgic. The vocals build to the glorious chorus where the song really opens up and you get a harmonious feel from it. It’s hopeful, defiant, and beautiful.
Beth Israel feels reminiscent of TAKING BACK SUNDAY as the song slowly builds up to the shout-along chorus – as if the alcohol has just hit and it’s time to let loose with everything. It’s this kind of chorus that is going to make the live shows from these guys really stand out. Maiden MA is one of the more typical emo tracks on the LP. It feels like they’re more sticking to the genre’s roots with this particular track. It’s rocky in the chorus and the lyrics are more self-centred and heartfelt. This really works well as it leads perfectly into New Haven CT, which is a step away from the previous track. This one focuses on an acoustic guitar and the whole song is slowed down from their other tracks.
The album closes beautifully with Maier’s vocals and keyboard played by Brianne Costa. It would be wrong to talk about KITNER without mentioning Costa‘s contribution. Her vocals feature numerous times across the LP, and the female voice works perfectly with the male and adds more depth and another level to the songs and overall feel of this offering.
KITNER have had a lot of stop and starts in their six years as a band, but we’ve finally been gifted this debut and it is so promising that we can’t wait to see what they do next. Until then we’re just going to keep spinning this one.
Rating: 8/10
Shake The Spins is set for release on October 1st via Relief Map Records.
Like KITNER on Facebook.