Kinski was born of the quintessential garage rock argument: analog technique versus digital perfection. Fittingly, that argument happened in a Seattle bar; according to script, the future drummer chimed in from behind the tap; thankfully, analog eventually won out, and the multi-layered, sonically drenched quartet has been making some of the most challenging experimental rock of a decade since.
To date, Kinski is responsible for nine albums (including a 2003 split CD with Acid Mothers Temple) each of differing quality and critical reception. Early on, albums Be Gentle With the Warm Turtle and Don’t Climb On and Take the Holy Water were maligned; these wrapped around a successful Airs Above Your Station. Seemingly, the band couldn’t hone its manic energy until 2005 which saw the band bring around Alpine Static a roundly adored record with stoner rock riffs and muscle car ethos. 2007’s Down Below It’s Chaos seems to piggyback on that success, a driving, furious record that rarely stops for breath. Just as the titles of Kinski albums became tamer, the sound went off – “Passwords and Alcohol” and “Crybaby Blowout” are reminiscent of Dishwasher era Sonic Youth. There are nine troublemaking songs on the record, and they’re all just darling when they want to be. The album has many facets – all of them loud. More so than any of Kinski’s other efforts, it’s a culmination of brilliantly divergent influences: think part Steve Albini/Shellac in the realm of angst ridden, broken nosed songwriting; blend some of Mogwai’s ability to be raw and cooked with their beats; spice it up with Fugazi’s unapologetic machinations.
One of the most solid recordings in the noise/experimental genre in recent memory, Down Below It’s Chaos accepts the mantle of hard rock’s most challenging on the band’s behalf. They’ll wear it whether they like it or not. |