Customer Reviews

Kokopelli

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On their second release Kokopelli, UK dance band Kosheen keeps the beat solid but less insistent. They've taken the drums'n'bass grooves of their debut Resist and added a steady rock base with hints of gothic minor chord progressions. What better way to spill tales of love's disillusionments? Kokopelli isn't as consistent an effort, but its highs are invigorating indeed. Sian Evans's husky contralto continues to impress, especially on the vicious "Blue Eyed Boy" ("I should've put you down easy") and "Wish" ("If I had your brain instead then I probably wouldn't feel a thing."). The rock direction bodes well for the band's future. They aren't confined to one style or genre. But great dance bands are a gift (M People, New Order) - I miss Evans whooping her sensual plaints from a bed of synths and sequencers.

Kosheen have returned with a great follow up to 'Resist' which featured the hits 'hide u', 'catch', & 'hungry'...'Kokopelli' features less drum'n'bass beats and focuses more on mid-tempo guitar pop songs and the results are quite impressive...lead single 'all in my head' is a catchy love song with a great hook & superb vocals by Sian...other highlights inlucde 'coming home' which is my personal favourite with its 'i'm coming home now baby' chorus not leaving my brain since i first heard the track...'avalanche' , 'little boy' & 'ages' are also standout songs and there really isnt a bad track on the cd...fans of 'hide u' and the heavy drum'n'bass tracks featured on the last cd may be disappointed as the volume on this album is turned down a bit, however this is a great effort by the band - showing much growth and musical maturity...a cool mellow cd to chill out to. 4 stars out of 5.

Crtically hailed as a promising drum and bass band with Resist, Kosheen garnered themselves a cult following with their very danceable debut. Plus the very fact that Sian Evans' vocal isn't lightweight and added an extra dimension to their D&B songs that fitted very well with mainstream music.

On Kokopelli, the band has ditched their high brow D&B sound in place of a more metallic sound. In fact, the album sounds darker and almost brooding at points. Though not as immediately engaging as Resist, Sian Evans' haunting voice brings chill to the songs.

Sian brings to live "Wasting My Time"'s industrial-metallism and adds substance to the semi-electro thrust of single "All in Head." On the album's best track, "Avalanche," she simply makes the song rock straight into your mind.

Overall, Kosheen returns with a solid enough album but if you are waiting for part 2 of Resist, look elsewhere.

One of the things that drew me to this album was the fact that it was named 'Kokopelli' and the pictures of Native Americans on its cover (as well as that of the singles 'All In My Head' and 'Wasting My Time'), because Native American history has been a really interesting subject to me, and I was intrigued as to how a British band would take their music and blend it with the elements of Native American culture.

But, that aside, this album is really good and I could practically listen to it a few days in a row. As an aside, I bought Kokopelli before Resist, which is unconventional.

The first time I heard it, I really didn't like too many of the songs except for 'All In My Head', but it was really weird how something about it kept drawing me back. Now I really like the album and feel I can identify with many of the songs in the album, especially 'Coming Home' and 'Recovery'. Oh, and 'Wish' as well.

Many fans of this album really like the song 'Recovery', which is, unfortunately, not one of my favorites. I don't get the huge hype about the song, although I do see how it can really affect the listener and how it can relate so well to what many of us experience.

My favorite tracks are:
All In My Head
Coming Home
Avalanche
Little Boy

I don't believe in comparing Kokopelli to Resist, as one is a dance, drum 'n' bass album, while the other is rock and breakbeat. But if I had to choose, I'd choose Kokopelli over Resist, though both albums were exceptional ones.

I'm looking forward to their next record!

I heard the song "Wish" on Pandora and was immediately intrigued by this group. Then heard "Blue Eyed Boy" and decided to take a chance on buying the CD. I was hooked on the first listen and I like almost every track. Most of the songs grab you, are edgy, and are good rock songs a bit reminiscent of Heart. Personally, I think the first seven tracks are the strongest; "Wish" is awesome. The only song I don't care for near the end is "Ages", which is not a good fit for this CD. Unfortunately, since this album is apparently a departure from the norm for Kosheen, I'd be hesitant to purchase any of their other work at this point. I'd like to think this CD is the start of a new direction for the group.

If you like, chilled, smooth music to suit your evry mood trhat you can also sing along to, you need this album. All in my head is a fabulous track, poppy without feeling mass produced. Every track has its own pace, some unhurried like Little Boy, others pacy like Suzy May. I personally adore Ages, a song about family, and how easily it can be torn apart by a careless thought or deed. Don't miss this album.

Again, it's her voice that holds my attention. The rest is well done, too. This does have an overall more minor feel , nice and moody. "Blue Eyed Boy" is my favorite track. The whole CD grows on you. She has one of the most emotive voices I've ever heard, so I like listening to just about anything she has to sing. We just need more of it! If anybody knows how to find more of her stuff in particular, please let me know.

Am a huge fan, they can do no wrong. This CD is amazing and worth the purchase. I love all the songs, which is unusual for most CDs.

I bought this cd for a friend and had never heard any of Kosheen's music, but as soon as i heard the first song i knew i was in love. It is a great mix of rhythms and soul. This music just makes you want to get up and dance. If you are looking for something new and different, buy this album.

I loved Kosheen's first album "Resist"...so much so that I bought the LE Japanese version (very much worth it for the bonus tracks). "Kokopelli" is different than "Resist," and alot of people have whined about the fact that it is more dark and "hard." I, for one actually think it is a better album than "Resist." Better melodies, better vocal performance by Sian and better lyrics. In fact, I think it is my fave album of the year.
The great beats remain, but "Kokopelli" is a more intense, rock flavored album than "Resist" (which was mostly a drum n bass/trip-hop/pop album). It does take a couple listens, but the songs on this album are truly engaging, and Sian's singing tears down the roof. Excellent stuff.