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1. Dale Voorhies
2. Merry Christmas Darling (Maybe Next Year Things Will Change) 3. Warren City Christmas 4. Pretty Lights 5. Winter In The Pub 6. You're Going Everywhere Without Me 7. Reckless Road 8. The Black Crown 9. PA Grey 10. My Only One KISSING PARTY WEB SITE KISSING PARTY ON FACEBOOK PURCHASE FROM BANDCAMP PURCHASE FROM AMAZON PURCHASE FROM iTUNES |
We started this blog/web site/whatever the hell it is in 2010. I had an idea of what I was trying to do (which, of course, never unfolded as I pictured). Mainly, I wanted to make sure that music that needed to be heard got heard. I was still feeling my way around back then. It took me a while to just be me and let the chips fall.
In that first year, I (and perhaps you) were introduced to a few artists who I've come to think of as family. Not like parents or siblings, but, you know, the kinds of cousins for whom the door is always open. C'mon in, sit down. Can I get you anything? Let's catch up.
In 2010, a Denver based Indie band known as Kissing Party released a song entitled "Winter In The Pub". I was instantly attracted to their sound. I don't even know why. But I was drawn to it. Fascinated by it. I had the kind of feeling I usually get about a woman I know is ultimately going to break my heart (they haven't...yet).
The guitars sparkled. The vocals I described as "somber and sinister". It was Lo-Fi without being Lo-Fi. There was a darkness, but there was a light (kinda like that woman who is going to break my heart). The band, I think, had described their sound as "Slop Pop". It took me a while to conclude that (to me, anyway) what that means in that there are so many different styles coming together in their sound, that it's fairly well impossible to say it's this or it's that. It's all of it.
In that first year, I (and perhaps you) were introduced to a few artists who I've come to think of as family. Not like parents or siblings, but, you know, the kinds of cousins for whom the door is always open. C'mon in, sit down. Can I get you anything? Let's catch up.
In 2010, a Denver based Indie band known as Kissing Party released a song entitled "Winter In The Pub". I was instantly attracted to their sound. I don't even know why. But I was drawn to it. Fascinated by it. I had the kind of feeling I usually get about a woman I know is ultimately going to break my heart (they haven't...yet).
The guitars sparkled. The vocals I described as "somber and sinister". It was Lo-Fi without being Lo-Fi. There was a darkness, but there was a light (kinda like that woman who is going to break my heart). The band, I think, had described their sound as "Slop Pop". It took me a while to conclude that (to me, anyway) what that means in that there are so many different styles coming together in their sound, that it's fairly well impossible to say it's this or it's that. It's all of it.
Through the years, Kissing Party kept coming back to the season with one great tune after another. In 2012, I'd loosened up enough to be appropriately effusive in my praise of "Dale Voorhies":
"This year's Christmas gift is "Dale Voorhies" which the band themselves call "morose". But it's "morose" that you can dance to. In fact, I can scarcely think of a more depressing song that makes me feel this good. It's weird. It's genius!"
And, in 2013, they topped themselves again with "Pretty Lights". Look, I could reminisce all day, but we're here to talk about this year. But I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least include a link to the brilliant video for "Pretty Lights". Please. Watch it. Repeatedly.
"This year's Christmas gift is "Dale Voorhies" which the band themselves call "morose". But it's "morose" that you can dance to. In fact, I can scarcely think of a more depressing song that makes me feel this good. It's weird. It's genius!"
And, in 2013, they topped themselves again with "Pretty Lights". Look, I could reminisce all day, but we're here to talk about this year. But I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least include a link to the brilliant video for "Pretty Lights". Please. Watch it. Repeatedly.
So, anyway. Kissing Party, this year--with THREE NEW CHRISTMAS TUNES--have finally achieved full album mass. Again utilizing the title of that first Christmas song, "Winter In The Pub", Kissing Party presents their full Christmas experience! The album was released to all of the digital platforms this past Friday. This Saturday, there's a CD release party at Denver's Skylark Lounge. So, wait, is there a "Winter In The Pub" CD? Best I can tell at the moment is that there is a "Limited Edition" CD. How limited? It could be that the only way to get it is at the CD release party. I honestly don't know. But, if you're within a state or two of Denver this Saturday, I'd sure try to be at Skylark Lounge.
The "star" among the new Christmas tunes is "Warren City Christmas" (video up top). "The Black Crown", on first listen, sounds like "Warren City Christmas" painted in different hues. I do love "Warren City Christmas". But I also love "PA Grey", which isn't getting a whole lot of attention right now. This tune gives me the sense of sitting on a bus as it pulls away, in the middle of winter, looking out the window--deep in thoughts of what was, what is, and what will never be--with the fog of your breath on the glass and your heart in your stomach. So I gotta toss it in, here.
The "star" among the new Christmas tunes is "Warren City Christmas" (video up top). "The Black Crown", on first listen, sounds like "Warren City Christmas" painted in different hues. I do love "Warren City Christmas". But I also love "PA Grey", which isn't getting a whole lot of attention right now. This tune gives me the sense of sitting on a bus as it pulls away, in the middle of winter, looking out the window--deep in thoughts of what was, what is, and what will never be--with the fog of your breath on the glass and your heart in your stomach. So I gotta toss it in, here.
That's a thing to me. I like a song that gives me a visceral feeling. It almost doesn't matter what a song is really about. It's more about what it makes me feel. And the thing about Kissing Party that's been true from 2010 to today is that it could be the most depressing song I've ever heard and I come away smiling. Even when a song of their's calls to mind a depressing memory, I come away feeling good. It's cathartic, somehow. I don't understand why, really, but who cares?
The combination of people in the group is part of the reason for the success of their sound. I can't put it any better than Tom Murphy of Westworld Magazine did, so I'm going to borrow his assessment:
"The Kissing Party is a band masterful in the writing of upbeat, melancholy pop songs and wry wit. Although the lyrics reveal the romantic and sentimental outlook of the group's primary songwriters, Gregg Dolan and Deidre Sage, it is the rhythm section of Lee Evans and Shane Reid, coupled with the delicate yet assured guitar leads of Joe Hansen, that take relatively simple songs and give them a drive and color that isn't otherwise obvious."
And we get further insight into their Christmas songs, specifically, from the band, who say the songs come from their experience going home for Christmas over the past 5 or 6 years. See, you can go home again. And it's less that it's not the same than that it is.
"This album is for anyone who has ever gone home to find the same friends sitting on the same barstool you left them on the year before. It's about not feeling home at home but dreading returning to the city. It's about feeling happy, depressed, drunk and in love at the same time. It's about friends you grew up with, girls you still miss, smoking in garages and playing ping pong in basements. It's the feeling you get returning to the bedroom you grew up in and its still decorated with Oasis & The Cure posters you had on the wall when you were 15. In other words Christmas Carols for the crippled inside. Pairs well with hot totty's, hometowns and heartbreak."
The combination of people in the group is part of the reason for the success of their sound. I can't put it any better than Tom Murphy of Westworld Magazine did, so I'm going to borrow his assessment:
"The Kissing Party is a band masterful in the writing of upbeat, melancholy pop songs and wry wit. Although the lyrics reveal the romantic and sentimental outlook of the group's primary songwriters, Gregg Dolan and Deidre Sage, it is the rhythm section of Lee Evans and Shane Reid, coupled with the delicate yet assured guitar leads of Joe Hansen, that take relatively simple songs and give them a drive and color that isn't otherwise obvious."
And we get further insight into their Christmas songs, specifically, from the band, who say the songs come from their experience going home for Christmas over the past 5 or 6 years. See, you can go home again. And it's less that it's not the same than that it is.
"This album is for anyone who has ever gone home to find the same friends sitting on the same barstool you left them on the year before. It's about not feeling home at home but dreading returning to the city. It's about feeling happy, depressed, drunk and in love at the same time. It's about friends you grew up with, girls you still miss, smoking in garages and playing ping pong in basements. It's the feeling you get returning to the bedroom you grew up in and its still decorated with Oasis & The Cure posters you had on the wall when you were 15. In other words Christmas Carols for the crippled inside. Pairs well with hot totty's, hometowns and heartbreak."
So there it is. Kissing Party is a great band who have delivered great Christmas music because the songs are real. They aren't looking to paint a Courier & Ives picture. Nor are they looking to be anti-Christmas (that's a thing, you know). They aren't trying to be anything but real. Real life is never just one thing. It's happy and sad, surprising and disappointing, new and old, dark and light--all at the same time. There's always an over-arching sense that there should be more or better, fully tempered with the constant reminders that it could be so much worse. I love this band. To me, their music is "existential"--proof of existence. And, if that's just a bit too overwrought for you, if you think I'm trying to read more than is actually there, then I come back to this. Their music sounds great and it always--always--makes me feel good. And no music need ever be more than that.
Please check out Kissing Party's "Winter In The Pub" and consider buying it. It's not just a timecapsule of their Christmases past, but of ours. Although you can find it at the usual digital emporiums, you'll get your best price (and FLAC, if you like) at Bandcamp. Just sayin'. If we find out there's a CD for sale anywhere outside of Denver, we'll certainly let you know (though my sense is maybe not). I just hope this isn't the last of Kissing Party's Christmas music. Or maybe this is finally the moment where that girl breaks my heart. Hey, I knew it was coming the moment I laid eyes on her.
It is true that many of these songs were originally offered as free gifties, but they've earned whatever the "Winter In The Pub" collection might cost you. Proving they still love you (or maybe they just forgot, so grab it quick), "Warren City Christmas" is currently free to download from Soundcloud. And, even if that disappears, you can find a free download of "Winter of No Self Control" (not a Christmas song, but just as wonderful) from the band's "Waster's Wall" album at Hot Congress (right click, MAC users).
Please check out Kissing Party's "Winter In The Pub" and consider buying it. It's not just a timecapsule of their Christmases past, but of ours. Although you can find it at the usual digital emporiums, you'll get your best price (and FLAC, if you like) at Bandcamp. Just sayin'. If we find out there's a CD for sale anywhere outside of Denver, we'll certainly let you know (though my sense is maybe not). I just hope this isn't the last of Kissing Party's Christmas music. Or maybe this is finally the moment where that girl breaks my heart. Hey, I knew it was coming the moment I laid eyes on her.
It is true that many of these songs were originally offered as free gifties, but they've earned whatever the "Winter In The Pub" collection might cost you. Proving they still love you (or maybe they just forgot, so grab it quick), "Warren City Christmas" is currently free to download from Soundcloud. And, even if that disappears, you can find a free download of "Winter of No Self Control" (not a Christmas song, but just as wonderful) from the band's "Waster's Wall" album at Hot Congress (right click, MAC users).
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