I generally jump at the chance to get my hands on new music, and when it comes in the form of a singer/songwriter type vibe then you can consider me extremely happy, since that is generally my favorite genre. So, when I saw a special sale running on Kinnie Starr's new album I immediately clicked on `purchase album' and sat back, waiting to get inspired. I had never heard of Kinnie before, but a quick internet browse left me rather intrigued, so I couldn't wait to sink into this album.
I'm left feeling a little underwhelmed (or maybe a LOT underwhelmed) and that saddens me.
Some of the tracks here are pretty good and show a lot of promise, but overall this album comes over redundant, boring and uninspired. I sensed a lot of Neko Case here, just no where near as provoking or as entertaining.
The best for me are `Another's Gone', `Bonfires' and `Free'. There is a bouncy currency to `Another's Gone' that evokes something in me. I actually really love this song. The booming quality to the chorus is a standout. `Bonfires' has a rustic quality I like, and the awkwardness is a payoff here, delivering something that has character (as apposed to the majority of the album, which lacks character). The closing track, `Free', is a soft and ethereal track that captures an almost Feist-type vibe.
`You Eyes' has a certain spunk, as does the title track, but they also come over a tad on the lazy side (there is just nothing special here). `Open Wounds' is slightly haunting and has a nice flow to it. Again, I just wish there was some sort of `pop' here that would warrant a second look. It's good, but nothing great.
I wanted to like `I Wanna Know You', but it comes off more boring than enchanting.
The opening track, `High Heels', was a bit of a shock to me. It's pretty mediocre and it really scared me. Thankfully it was followed up by `A Different Day', but I have to tell you that hearing `High Heels' kind of puts this album in perspective. The track is shallow and uninteresting and despite the bouncy quality to the musical arrangement it feels more generic than anything else. `Some Sun' has a stripped down feel, but it's sung strangely and turns me off.
I don't understand why `Crow's Perspective' is here. It's like amateurish spoken word poetry type music that serves no purpose.
The quirky `It's All You' is easily the worst thing here. It just doesn't fit here at all. It comes off forced and awkward and campy almost in parts. I just don't like it at all. The pop sound doesn't really fit the direction of this album (but it's not like this album has much direction to begin with).
In the end I am certainly disappointed. I like her voice (for the most part). Not like she is an amazing singer, but she has a sound that I like so if her music were a little more inspired and thought out I think I really could have gotten into her. I mean, I could sit down on my couch with my guitar and write eleven songs with more heart, spirit and style than this entire album. There is just nothing here really. It feels empty and lazy and unfocused.
And dull.