The Wild Kindness has been a songwriting project for Mike Alexis, now in its third decade with regular releases. Initially around the Bay Area, a more recent move to Austin Texas has resulted into an expansion of the sound. Now a five piece, the EP follows on from the excellent EP, The Blind Trust, from last year.
The base sound is a gentle Pop Rock that would maybe come more out of New Zealand, but also offers reminders of The Go-Betweens and even Deacon Blue. But there is a key additional to the current line up. Jenny Ragusa is a multi instrumentalist that adds orchestral arrangements, particularly string and that separates the band from much around it.
Abandon Ship is great Indie Pop with a killer chorus and recently featured on our Listening To This Week Playlist. But there is great variety across the five songs. The Curse Finale Explained sounds more West Coast Rock, but also sounds a little Country or Americana and the addition of Ragusa on vocal enhances a beautifully arranged song.
The stand out though is Never Better, a much rockier affair, far more Indie with another great chorus and a great breakout solo. It is different to what else is on show, but shows how the band can vary their material. Passing Through slows things down, is moodier, but a wonderfully written, lyrically adept, storytelling joy.
There is also a cover of The Lightning Seeds' Change, a song I know well. It is a fairly loyal rendition given great depth instrumentally by the string arrangement. It is a bit different not hearing my great friend. Ian McNabb singing the "Put Your Foot Down And Drive" bit, but the shared vocals and Baroque additional arrangement works really well.
You can listen to and buy the EP here.
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