Kranky goes goth? That's certainly the feeling I have when I listen to The Patron, To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie's Kranky debut. If this were a decade ago, this duo would be the stars of the Projekt scene, as their music instantly reminds me of another wonderful ambient/darkwave duo, Lycia. The comparisons are more than appropriate; the haunting vocals of Jehna Wilhelm possess the same little-girl quality of Lycia's Tara Van Flower. And, really, what's wrong with emulating a really good band? To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie have mastered the art of the disturbing, tempering noise and bizarre carnival and cabaret elements together with the sound of innocence lost. Unlike Lycia, thought, TKAPB (and I hope I am not disrespecting them by abbreviating their name) rely less on heavy ambient sounds and more on a darker, rougher, more experimental side--and there's a bit of noise thrown in as well. Don't let that word "noise" throw you; instead of a cacophonous racket, the songs on The Patron are composed in ways that are as beguiling as they are beautiful. Again, it all has to do with that voice, and when it's unfurled in front of the harsh guitars of "Lovers & Liars," you're won over. Same thing with "With Brass Songs They'll Descend," a gorgeous wash of distorted guitars, loud, metallic sounds, and a siren song piercing through the wall of noise--how could you not enjoy it, especially so close to Hallowe'en?
Listen To; "With Brass Songs They'll Descend"
To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie's The Patron is available now on KrankyLabels: Darkwave, Kranky Records, To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie |
