Kensington Heights

About

Gruff and warm at the same time, Bryan Webb’s vocals come off like a blend of vintage Peter Gabriel (think “Solsbury Hill”) and the National’s Matt Berninger. The Constantines also stand apart with a two-guitar frontline and a fondness for simple, straightforward arrangements and rhythms. Once you’ve spent some time with them, their sound becomes easily identified, and the company they keep is a small circle (the Hold Steady and Les Savy Fav might be their closest cousins). “Hard Feelings” is all charging, clanging guitars, weaving in and out of a cool, looped synth line, with Webb’s voice playing like a holy roller spreading the spirit. “Credit River” and “Trans Canada” hum with energy, the latter’s guitars buzzing like circling bomber planes, honing in on their target, while the baptismal guitar tsunami of “Shower of Stones” washes over the listener, rich in lysergic color and texture. Don’t miss “Brother Run Them Down,” buried smack in the middle where lesser tracks sometimes reside. (Check out guitarist Steve Lambke’s Baby Eagle side project for some organic, countrified acoustic music.)

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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