THE UPside

The Kin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Aletheia Records
• ASIN: B002P5OXLK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,307 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's the simple things, October 6, 2009

By 

Joshua T. Dunn "Dr. Music" (Loma Linda, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THE UPside (MP3 Download)

I would love to write a review full of wordy metaphors and flowery praise. To be honest, I'm listening to the album non stop and I don't want to take the time. This is the time where you don't preview anything and just BUY IT. I know my friends will. You won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only Up from Here, October 6, 2009

By 

Kathryn Gaglione "The Bibliophile" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE UPside (MP3 Download)

When I first heard The Kin almost a year ago, I knew I was hearing something special. The song "Abraham" from their first album Rise & Fall literally had me in tears and "Together" just about blew me over with its powerful instrumentals and lyrics. Now with THE UPside, brothers Thorry and Isaac have proven they are the real deal.

This album is a little reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie's Plans, only The Kin does it better. The musicality explodes onto the scene with "Waterbreaks," a classic Kin sound that fans will recognize and love. And they once again brought me to tears with "Never Be the Same." Yet the music doesn't fall into complacency but pushes these musicians with funk-inspired songs like "One Thing" and "New York."

The only disappointment for me came from "Waking Up Shining," which falls a little short with it's pop beat and psychedelic electronics, making it a bit of a let-down for the last song on the album. But I'll forgive them for that because the rest of the album is too good to give this anything but five stars.

The Kin have cornered the market on amazing harmonization and great song writing; however, they don't hide behind their proven harmonies. They aren't afraid to mix electronics with acoustics or sing solo to highlight those totally clear moments when their voices combine for perfection.

These Aussies turned New Yorkers are more than just pretty faces with a grassroots following--they are musicians with the consistency, creativity and beauty to prove they will only move up from here. I got shivers down my spine listening to this album, and now I can't wait to see what this duo comes up with next.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The UPside is Uplifting, October 11, 2009

By 

MusicLover "Cate" (Long Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE UPside (Audio CD)

The UPside is a well suited title for an album that will uplift you and inspire you to want to "fight for my life, for the up, for the Upside". I think that The UPside is The Kin's best work ever. I knew that Isaac and Thorry Koren were brilliant before I heard The Upside but this album solidified it for me. The Koren brothers have raised my expectations of music and they have never disappointed me. The Kin write music that has meaning and inspires their listeners to think and feel. They are on an internal journey and they invite their audience to take it with them. Don't just listen to the songs, read the lyrics as well.

The UPside contains beautiful ballads such as the title track, "The Upside" and "Never Be The Same" but it also has great rock songs like "Waterbreaks", which we all have waited way too long for them to release, "You & I", and "One Thing".

"Never Be the Same" also brings me to tears, as the adult man has a heart to heart talk with the little boy inside of him and the child responds with such succinct advice: "die before you die."
I have also had the pleasure of hearing all of these songs live. Not only would I highly recommend that you buy this CD but if at all possible get to one of their shows.

The brothers truly have beautiful voices and harmonize so well together. They always compel themselves and each other to produce the best music and never be complacent. Unlike any other band that I have heard The Kin perform ballads, rock songs, acoustic, jazz and solos all with absolute perfection, both live and recorded.