As
the opening track of Killing Heidi's new album 'present'
plays, one might be fooled into thinking they've
slipped the wrong CD into their player. A mechanical
bass beat loops, a seductive whispering repeats
in time, and an indistinguishable, hacksaw-like
murmuring voice lurks in the background. Have the
once angsty Violet-town-pop-rockers transformed
themselves into a dark industrial four piece?
The
mysterious track, HeidiLude1, is merely a 30 second
warm up; a musical interlude to bring you into the
space that is 'present'. It hints of a new sound
for Killing Heidi, and is one of four short 'HeidiLudes'
that float you through the moods of this album.
Track
2: Ammyl: A muffled voice warps in and out and the
unfamiliar slick-slippery guitar loops over the
slow slaps of the drums. It is not until 12 seconds
into the track that it is confirmed: this album
is undeniably Killing Heidi. Ella's unique voice
instantly renders the foreign soundscape into something
familiar. It is not until the chorus kicks in, with
heavier guitar riffs and Ella repeatedly demands
"Say what you wanna say, what you wanna say, to
me", that the song generates a more catchy and recognisable
Killing Heidi. With vocal and instrumental ups and
downs of split emotion, the song resentfully demands,
yet then grows weaker in parts with Ella calmly
urging 'Can I come around?".
Ammyl
leads the album as an example of what is about to
come; many songs take on a split personality of
heavy/soft, upset/forgiving tones- acknowledging
that every emotion portrayed carries undertones
that make it complex. The album is packed with this
Killing Heidi trademark: Heavier guitar riffs and
fast paced drums overlapped with Ella's strong voice;
demanding; asking; lecturing. Then at some point,
it becomes more musically relaxed, with lighter
guitars, strings and a softer voice; curiously beckoning;
forgiving; reassuring; understanding.
There
is an obvious distinction between 'present' and
its predecessor 'Reflector', there are many added
electronic sound effects. These are most prominently
perceived with in the musical 'HeidiLudes'. HeidiLude2
produces an euphoric, relaxing feeling, like floating
underwater surrounded by mermaids. With a muffled
guitar and a tranquil beat, Ellas voice angelically
lulls "ooh-yeah-ooh" recognisable of 'Heavensent'.
Pieces from each of these HeidiLudes are taken from
other tracks on 'present'. As the key-board player
on this album, Josh Abrahams (Addicted to Bass/Moulin
Rouge arranger/producer) has certainly reflected
some of his creative genius within this album, not
only through these intervals, but by creating atmosphere
through adding warped voices and sound effects to
songs.
The
album features the commercial radio hits 'heavensent'
and 'outside of me' which introduce themselves with
beautiful catchy angelic guitars, strings, and soothing
vocals. 'Heavensent' attempts to be rocky in parts,
yet the angelic 'ooh yeah's' and twinkling dizzy
sound effects keep it at what it is: a blissfully
catchy pop song. 'Outside of Me', however, is a
misleading love song, delving into a heavier bitter
tone within the chorus.
Songs
such as 'To Fly' take simple guitar loops and lyrics
and turn them into inspiring pieces through the
varying paces of the song. Ella's powerful vocals
build up the pressure to a point where the song
explodes into a wondrous heavy guitar chorus of
'I am born to fly'.
Other
highlights include ' The Days' and '1,2,3,4,5',
both demanding attention for their sincere emotionality.
'The Days' with its strolling combination of strings
and keyboard, and expressive vocals, creates a well-known
feeling of apathy which later seems to reveal itself
as helplessness as the song fades out with off-key
violins. '1,2,3,4,5' plays with fading piano clips
and acoustic guitar; aided by Ella singing a hauntingly
child-like counting song, it will leave the hairs
on your skin standing up.
Although
misleading at first, 'Present' is a new chapter
in the Killing Heidi volumes, bringing the old angst-driven
pop-rock sound we fell in love with on Reflector,
and adding new dimensions to it. With only a few
lemons, the 'Present' is a very promising place
to be for Killing Heidi.
Track
Listing:
1. HeidiLude1
2. Ammyl
3. Burnt
4. HeidiLude2
5. Heavensent
6. To Fly
7. HeidiLude 3
8. The Days
9. Outside of me
10. Pave the Way
11. Sweet
12. HeidiLude 4
13. Take it
14. 1,2,3,4,5
15. Damage Control
Reviewed
by Corynne Tait
