Customer Reviews

Death of the Party

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It was a cold Saturday night, and I was in no mood for partying until a friend cajoled me into seeing Kudu at NuBlu in NYC.
I'm a huge afficionado of live music, and I've mostly seen it all. But, once in a while, one band somehow manages to write a new page in my encyclopedia of music. And that band is Kudu.
A vicious and unique mixture of pop, rock, dance/techno, soul and R&B, Kudu's music is daring enough to touch several bases but then intelligent enough to keep the listener intrigued with an overall edgy and fresh sound, replete with crisp drumming and serenading singing.
Undoubtedly, this is one of those bands that one must see live to appreciate comrehensively. The show was simply awesome! The lead singer reeled the audience in with her powerful (and soulful) voice, while the drummer just brimmed over with charisma.
Regardless of your taste, any true fan of music would appreciate innovation, and that's what Kudu is all about. It's a mystery that they have yet to hit the mainstream, but then again, judging by what makes it onto MTV, does anyone really want mainstream?

I could get into a long intellectual piece about how cutting edge this album is but that would only waste your time and probably bore you to tears. What is that you want to know...if you can dance to it, cry to it, make love to it? Well, my answer is yes, yes and most definitely YES! Buy this album, especially if you are a fan of any kind of dance music, this will become one of your faves, a modern classic that bends and twists genres like a slinky. Listen and learn, it's time to PAR-TY with KUDU!

Smart, super-catchy electropop with the shadowy ambience of goth and the melodic elasticity of cocktail jazz. Singer Sylvia Gordon knows exactly what she's doing, whether she's lacing bouncy melodies around the skeletal synths of songs like "Playing House" or using effortlessly clever wordplay to demolish pretentious nightlife personalities in wicked romps like "Bar Star" and "King Kong (Attack of the Egomaniac)"

Crazy-talented drummer/synthesist Deantoni Parks, making up the other half of this dynamic duo, sets down bracingly physical beats and spare keyboard hooks, leaving plenty of space for Sylvia to do her thing. Occasionally one catches a whiff of the band's acid jazz/drum n' bass background but for the most part this record is relentlessly poppy, displaying the musicians' chops in only the most subliminal ways.

I've listened to this album a hundred times. It's my favorite to hula-hoop to!

I sometimes just get judge my music by how cool the cover looks to me. Superficial yes but If it works for the best more times than you think...example...Kudu!...They are so awesome and the beats are so primitive synth afro punk that It's almost made for me ;)!

During a time where most output (I refuse to call it music) I hear lacks substance, talent, and originality, Kudu landed in my musical world. If it weren't for Pandora radio I'm not sure that I'd have discovered them.

I was listening to my "Janelle Monae" radio (who is also another talent I recommend for consideration), and a song titled "Hey 50" plays on my radio. I instantly enjoy it. As I listen to Sylvia's vocals I sense the confidence present in her voice and style. The beat makes me want to dance every time I hear it. I create a "Kudu" radio on Pandora. As I hear various songs from the group, including "Suite Life" "Playing House," and "King Kong (Attack of the Egomaniac)," I know I have to invest in them.

I purchase both Death of the Party and Back for More: A Remix Collection and played both albums in my car for a total of about 3 weeks. It has an undeniable 80's feel to it that any 80's music fan would appreciate. Not only are the beats great, but Sylvia's lyrical and vocal skills are on point as well. Any music lover will recognize the many musical influences found in Kudu's music.

My only regret is not finding them sooner! I'll have to take a special trip to NY just to hear them play...and I'll be eagerly anticipating the next album. In the mean time I'll be purchasing their other albums. Check them out!