 |  | Great effort, but lacking in musical substance |  |
I've posted comments elsewhere on this series of reviews. It seems the defenders of Ms. King's cd are a little defensive, as are the ones who didn't care for her music. I have to admit, I was excited by the idea that a new acoustic monster had put a cd out. I listened to the samples in the store, and was "wow'ed" by her varied and aggressive style of guitar playing. The employee had pointed her cd out to me, and he too, made reference to M. Hedges guitar style. Like a herd of lemmings, I walked out of the store with the cd in hand, looking forward to listening through it.
I got home and (I have to say) tried to listen straight through, but was put off by the lack of a feeling that K. King's music was thought through--even as I made an effort to follow some kind of compositional form. Yes, there was a surprise guitar tap here, an unexpected harmonic there; however, I couldn't sit through the first two selections. Her playing strikes me, as it seems to do several other reviewers here, as a kind of unprepared, "let's see what sounds we can make with the guitar", and lacking in any musical form--AABA, for example, with a bridge in there somewhere.
I found myself trying to put structure to what seemed to be noodling and rambling through each recorded track. Unfortunately, the cd ended up going straight to the used bin. When one has to work to put structure and melodic form to someone else's music, then either the music is lacking, or it requires further listening attempts. I'm sorry to say I didn't have the patience to sit through more than a cursory sampling beyond the first two tracks, and none of the entries were outstanding in any shape.
Sure, if your idea of music is ting, pop, strum and bang, this might be the cd for you. I have to wonder, however, how many of the angry reviewers who give but one star are, like me, slightly angry that someone with a few chops, but no sense of music, (and certainly not an advanced sense of melody), can gain such wide exposure so quickly.
Finally, it does seem that the reviewers, both pro and against Ms. King's guitar playing, are passionate about their opinions. If the negative reviews do not dissuade, then by all means spend your hard earned money on this disc. Maybe you will find the lack of musical form passable--especially when one factors in the guitar pyrotechnics and "wow" factor. In the end, I fear you will not find anything substantial here.
July 26, 2008 | | Fearless, Ambitious, and Youthful Debut Album to Showcase Kaki King's Talent as Guitarist/Composer | |
Kaki King's debut album, Everybody Loves You, may be the best to showcase her talent as a guitarist/composer. As heard in probably the most prototypical track, "Kewpie Station," she taps the fret and the body of the guitar like a percussive instrument, plays unfamiliar chords, and structures the song with various odd beats that keep changing. To lesser extent, these ingredients are heard on "Steamed Juicy Little Bun," "Carmine St.," "Close Your Eyes," and "Joi." "Carmine St." also carries incredible counterpoint between bass line and melody, performed simultaneously without over-dubbing, while "Everybody Loves You" features Debussy-esque harmony. Combined them all, this fearless, ambitious, and youthful album may be the most impressive and memorable one of hers to date.
May 12, 2008It's not fair, Kaki beat me to the release of a style that can only come from tapping into inspiration, where choices reign and decisions are non-existent. It's simply beautiful.
May 4, 2008| | | Totally awesome and innovative guitar | |
If you want to hear new things from an acoustic guitar, this album, and King's Legs to Make Us Stronger are the ticket. Kaki is extremely talented. I'm eagerly awaiting to hear more music from this stunning artist. Very unconventional, so maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it!
October 22, 2006| | | Great music, even better guitar work | |
Kaki King is amazing, any fan of good music will love this.
August 22, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(42 reviews)