Highland Kites drop CD
URL – https://www.highlandkites.com/
About the Artist: Highland Kites are a 6 member band from Arcadia, CA. Their latest album “All We Left Behind” has received critical acclaim from many music critics around the world. Genera: Alternative Folk-Rock. Citing from their bio: Multi-talented Members, Vocals/keys: Marissa Lamar, Drums: Neil Briggs, Guitar/Bass: Raymond Richards, String arrangement for “Before You Leave”: Patrick Warren & Kaitlin Wolfberg, Violin/Viola: Kaitlin Wolfberg, Cello: Ken Oak. I get the impression the 2 core members are Lamar and Briggs.
We have all been exposed to well-known rock artists that are talented not only in music but are also endowed with other gifts. It seems that as time goes by — and technology advances — artists are expanding their horizons. Both Lamar and Briggs are prime examples of cutting edge alt/folk. Many feel modern rock has lost its identity with it’s over the top flash and mundane and mechanical delivery. Indeed not everyone is highly entertained. But behind the flash and flamboyance is one of Southern California up and coming act Highland Kites. Their 10 song CD is amazing! Admittedly it provides a whole lot of variety song for song via these catchy latest arrangements and solid performances. First: Highland Kites is an impressive band who deliver rock solid performances and writing like a well oiled machine. This is testament to hundreds of hours of rehearsal time no doubt. Second: Lead singer Lamar dishes out vocals that are to die for. She also possesses a strong musical collaboration with the rest of the band – which is harder that it sounds, very syncopated. There’s nothing dysfunctional about this album. All members have the attributes required of an effective players. Third: their overall sound and amazing songwriting touch are as good as it gets in modern alt-rock. All songs are a skillful combination of modern alt/rock yet with a slight folk pop/rock aftertaste that will remind you of the likes of The Veronicas, Fun, Rita Ora, Own City and Carly Rae Jepsen and Natasha Bedingfield.
Highland Kites have the creativity and songwriting prowess to be extremely dangerous. What’s more: there is also a unique quality to this catalogue that breaks the mold when compared to the mundane pop/rock that’s been filling the airwaves lately. What am I trying to say – well let m start by saying there is nothing fake and superficial about Highland Kites. I will add not every square inch of this release is filled with musical ambience delivered under duress – but musical space this allows the music to breathe on its own with passion that cannot be faked. Equally as impressive is how marketable this release truly is. It covers so much ground and despite this it manages to not spread itself to thin across to many lines – nice touch.
I’ve always said if you can play it a party, then it’s marketable. The music of Highland Kites is extremely marketable – with a impactful sound that is passionate, dark, and hooky very much like the 2 core members themselves.
Criticism: None worth mentioning.
BANDCAMP: https://highlandkites.bandcamp.com/
Final Rating: 9.510 Stars
Heather Verra