Search - Something for Kate :: Desert Lights

Overpolished awkwardness

Simon Ramsey | Bondi, NSW | 07/26/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Among most people I know, Something For Kate typically elicit deeply opposing feelings. Some can't stand the singer, Paul Dempsey's keening and gravelly vocals. Others find the lyrics overly introspective and earnest. Me, I've always dug the band for being angular and intelligent without over-reaching, and for knowing when to sound passionate and clumsy.

Unfortunately, over the years Dempsey has been working hard at creating the perfect pop rock song, not realising he may have done it many years ago. Having seen the songs on Desert Lights performed live recently I can tell you the songs on this album prove that SFK have lost none of their energy or their ability to captivate and thrill, but Brad Wood's production seems to be aimed at getting them added to the soundtrack of the OC, rather than producing something spiky and perennial. The proof is in the songs that transcend the album: Transparanoia and Down The Garden Path hang on soaring hooks and Paul's falsetto, but Fool's History and Cigarette's and Suitcases seem like outtakes from the bands third album. It's my belief that SFK are truly brilliant, that Clint Hyndman is one of the funkiest drummers in rock right now, that Paul Dempsey writes spirited, haunting and intelligent songs. But for god's sake, I wish people stop polishing them to death. Buy the album, and pray they come to your town, so you can hear the songs as they are meant to be heard."

Not as good as expected

G. Anderson | Brisbane, Australia | 11/12/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Let me say first off that this is not a bad album it's just not as good as I was hoping for from the Melbourne trio. Although the two singles so far released, Cigarettes & Suitcases and Oh Kamikaze are both good songs they are certainly not as catchy as Monsters or Deja Vu. Likewise the rest of the album isn't nearly as easy to listen to as Official Fiction. All in all worth getting if your a fan of the band but if your just starting out on SFK I'd recommend Echolalia or Official Fiction instead."