From
International Online Music Magazine
August 25, 2006
Review of Fantasy Adventure Violence
We've waited quite a while for KB to 'knock another one off' and
although their debut album 'The Unnatural World' was a nice little
'starter stunner' that earned the band quite a bit of global acclaim and
the occasional award here and there, we were not really sure how they'd
measure up two years later. Of course you can take some things for
granted... they're superb writers and musicians and they're startlingly
accomplished composers, so I suppose album number 2 is going to be at
least
as good as the last one! It's really nicely designed... the CD
artwork that is, and the title is rather intriguing... but I'm gonna see
what happens when I press Play...
Gahd
is the 'eye-opening' 'ear-dividing' 'consciousness-awakening' opener
with it's chest cavity exposed to reveal the first line in the song to
be 'I can only smile as you take my rib..' now be honest... that's an
absolutely stupidly orginal opening lyrical persuasion if ever I heard
one!!! The slush-grunge guitar slashing coupled with the Jimmy LaPrad
skin-specials make you realize you're listening to something indubitably
uncommon these days.. independent brilliance! I love Jim's drum work and
as it's bound very tightly into Mike Keel's bass playing from drum-head
to fret-work, it's even more refreshing to hear. So... KB gets the wax
seal of classic wonderment for track one... let's see what happens
next...
Blind Token Philosophy Man
arrives with speckles of early 80s UK New Wave with USA flavourings. I
almost wanna pogo but I'm a bit long-in-the-tooth for that these days.
Not only have the band managed to mess with time but they've also
managed to mess with the ageing process and gone back physiologically
and psychologically together to the days when basement nightclubs with
bare walls and paint-tin ashtrays were a major asset to the interiors.
This is a smart track... it engages things kept hidden for the past two
and a half decades and replenishes the parts not many artists can reach.
Weak
heralds the return of the delightful Erin Ahearn who did such a smart
job of guitar and vocals on the last album and who has now arrived fully
equipped with an even more soul enticing voice than she did on The
Unnatural World (**note from Karmic Brick: lead vocals on “The Unnatural
World” were preformed by Vicki Garino and backing vocals were performed
by Erin Ahearn.**). The song is presented with a somewhat bitter
collection of lyrics spread out and magnified by a trilogy of terror
from the drums, bass, and guitars with the dark veil provided by some
exceptional backing vocals. I think I've said it before but this really
is a nice example of the kind of thing that would make Karmic Brick
shine on tour!
Listen
is very CBGBs and New York City in my eyes (and ears). A little hint of
the kind of thing that would have given Blondie another platinum single
in the early eighties but in the hands of KB has become an intrinsically
cool modern classic. Love the guitars especially.. but the vocals...
deary deary me Erin (took me an hour to get back down to the floor!!!!).
I Don't Care
messes with time again and you find yourself leaping back and forth from
2006 to 1966 to 2007, almost after every couple of bars! Jim's vocals
are magnificent and the arrangements are positively excellent. It's
testimony to the fact that Karmic Brick have got to the point where
there's no going back... it's onward and upward I'm afraid and for those
of you with an ounce of common sense, let me elucidate... with only five
tracks reviewed so far, this album must be bought and prized and I Don't
Care is one of five very important reasons why!
I love
Special..
it's the kind of track I wished I'd produced and it really isn't right
that I had nothing to do with it except wish for it to appear. As it
has, I can tell you that it's a brilliant track filled with some very
smart lyrics 'Life is long enough to accomplish nothing.. and fade away'
no folks it's not at all introspective or melancholy, it's absolute
truth that kind of exudes optimism and brightness.. well it does for me
anyways!
Outside
is the track that brings back memories of a superb Australian band 'The
Clouds' who's interspersing of smooth caressing vocals and solid drum
work made the band a phenomenon. The same thing's happening here
courtesy of Erin, Jim and Mike and in the brilliantly conceived
production plan that stands as a blueprint for a remarkable album.
We Are Here
delivers the kind of punch your senses needed but were afraid to
request! With a Westernized Bonanza-esque collateral riff set between
verses, the track exudes excellence in composition and production and...
dare I say it again... uniqueness! Clint Eastwood would love this! Watch
out for the expertly provided guitar work and mixing desk magic that
Karmic Brick are
now unsurprisingly renowned for!
I've been dying to hear KB's version of
Tomorrow Never Knows
with the support of the delightfully talented didjeridoo-er Ed Drury (Tablas
and Dijeridoo) taking a crack at Ringo Starr's percussive efforts is
magnificent! The vocals are exceptional and the bass forwards and guitar
reverses are spellbinding. How they do this kind of thing so well is a
bit above the ordinary and well worth the effort!
You Love Me
sends shivers down my neck within the first minute... it's another
example of the band's versatility in songwriting and in their adherence
to wonderful arrangements that makes this track so indisputably superb!
I had a conversation with Phil Hardy some time ago about the fact that I
just can't help describing things in music sometimes that are hard to
describe as anything other than 'superb'. I said 'I have to be careful
not to exaggerate Phil... he said ' Nah... 'superb' can say it all!'
Good Little Children
brings this excellent album to an end. Where KB messed with Eighties,
Sixties and late Seventies themes earlier, they bring the adult
orientated pop/rock genre back to the new millennium with this one! The
piano excursion around the two minute mark is incredible. Laced with
outstanding guitar and vocals this is the song that promises more
splendour to come in Karmic Brick's third as yet 'untitled' and
'uncompleted' masterpiece!
Buy this album
and support the band folks.. you’ll be ever so sharply delighted that
you did and unequivocally ashamed if you don't!
-Colin Lynch
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From Australia's
The Buzz Magazine
September 6, 2006
Review of Fantasy Adventure Violence
Welcome to Karmic Brick a Boston, MA based Alternative Rock band that
doesn't copy anyone. Karmic Brick sparked attention almost immediately
upon introducing themselves to the internet indie music community in
early 2004. The band built a broad and devoted international fan base.
After their critically acclaimed album, The Unnatural World, the
three-piece group are back with a new LP Fantasy Adventure Violence.
Whilst the group doesn’t push any boundaries musically with this album,
the end product is a fun and satisfying listen. Highlights include the
grungy Blind Token Philosophy Man, the organic rich tapestry of Good
Little Children and the edgy summer rock vibe of Special. Fantasy
Adventure Violence is satisfying rock for any indie music fan!
CJ Sez: Turn it up and rock out!
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