Eirecana is back in action after a bit of a hiatus. This evening, it is an album review of Kaplin's debut album: Devastating Ways.
I have covered Kaplin on the blog already this year (here if you're curious) so it's good now to finally get to listen to the debut album by the band. Released a few weeks ago, Devastating Ways consists of 11 tracks of jangular, crisp desert-noir rock. The band led by Warren Ahern with Brian Cannon (Violins), Brendan O'Gobain (bass)and Kevin Whelan (drums) obviously don't want to ease one gently into this new album. The album opens with the abrasive and dark "Falling Down Your Stairs". The song feels likes it belongs on a soundtrack in revenge thriller. Sharp, dramatic and terse, it is certainly a statement of intent for the rest of the album.
I already discussed before that Kaplin's sound is reminiscent of Calexico and the desert-noir tag. Tracks like "Frozen Sand", "Stolen Angels" and "Pylons, Purples and Pinks" are full of sounds of the southern border states; trumpet, Spanish guitar and clean lead guitar. "Stolen Angels" in particular stands outs. The song is dictated by crisp, distorted lead guitar and warm fiddle melodies. It feels like a classic country song.
The album contains some meditative slower numbers. "Graveyard Lounge" is a dark tale of love with spreads of trumpet over the top. The title track follows a similar theme with some impressive arrangement and backed up by lush organ.
The closing track "The Road Rarely Runs Out of Signs" is almost the polar opposite to the beginning of the album. The song starts as a gentle, warm country tune before bursting into a gospel sounding chorus of hope.
Taken as a whole, as debut's go, Devastating Ways is an accomplished start. Varying from country inspired ballads to Latin inspired rock; the album suggests a band with promising things to come. You can purchase the album on Bandcamp and on Itunes. Check out the band's facebook page to keep abreast of their activities.
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