THE REIGN OF KINDO

The third release this year from the jazz crossover band The Reign of Kindo, the Christmas EP is a nice little collection of arrangements of popular jazzy Christmas songs. The songs have a nice heartfelt quality with a real compassion behind each of the tracks. Luckily, the songs aren't necessarily just straight off the chart covers, for the band made some nice jazzy arrangements and changes to the classics. Some are slow and laid back, some are nice and upbeat; it's overall a pretty good release, but, it really didn't need to be released. I guess it's nice to have something other than your popular radio station to play Christmas songs, but other than that this release really didn't need to happen.

Merry Little Christmas is a really soft compassionate track. Mostly just some nice soft jazz, the arrangements really beckons you to sit next to a fireplace and drink eggnog. It's a really nice track to listen to, and, seeing as it's less than 3 minutes, it has a nice quick listenable quality.

Dreaming of a White Christmas is a surprisingly new sound for the band, oddly found on a Christmas EP. The arrangement of this track is purely creative, having little but the lyrics to connect with the original. The upbeat feel and cool swing to the song really makes it a treat.

What Child is This lacks the great creativity of the previous track, but is still good. The song has a great backing power behind it, being the most "rocking" track on the EP so far. It opens with a nice jazzy piano piece, traditional to the Kindo, and goes on like most other versions of What Child is This. Overall it's a good track, but doesn't have that spark of Dreaming of a White Christmas.

O Holy Night is a slow and steady track. Nearly 7 minutes, it's actually the longest song in the band's entire collection. The song has a deep compassion and feeling behind each note. The song is a pleasure to listen to and really puts into that heartfelt mood that Christmas once held for most people; now it's just a commercial holiday extravaganza. Again, this is a good track, but isn't spectacular.

ALBUM OVERALL: A good, but non-essential release, just as the 3 star rating says. There really isn't much to say about the album, except there are some really nice creative arrangements of traditional Christmas songs, with some cool jazzy twists. Overall, however, the release was a little superfluous and unneeded. 3 stars.

Not like this album is bad - well played nice melodic songs with jazzy arrangements. But - no traces of avant or just experimentation of any kind. Well done nice pop-rock/indie pop album.

Guys play really nice, songs are enough catchy, possibly a bit too polished and comfortable. But prog lover wouldn't find much interesting music there, this album is released for different listener.

Don't repeat my mistake - there is no prog jazz fusion or avant jazz rock at all on this album. But I believe Steely Dan's fans could be interested and possibly even will like this music.

My rating is 2+ ( fans of melodic quality pop-rock with jazzy flavour could add one star for sure).

With the recent release of This is What Happens, apparently The Reign of Kindo had an idea: let's re-release all our music-- in 8-bit-Nintendo-era video game music form! The album basically goes through the entire album as if it were a video game soundtrack, 8-bit drums, guitars and pianos rocking the whole way. Sure, it definitely has a creative element to it, I mean how many bands re-release their albums in 8-bit form?! But, as I mentioned above, all of this is a little superfluous. I really don't want to listen to Thrill of the Fall like it's the theme to Castlevania, I want to listen to Thrill of the fall like it's actually a song! Overall, the music is still fun and enjoyable, just the entire concept of an 8-bit remix is a little odd and outlandish. 3- stars.

As each release from this new promising band rolls out, I get more and more excited. Their music is so fresh and original it amazes me. I am as amazed by this band as I was when I first heard Overture 1928 from Dream Theater's Scenes From a Memory! (and that's saying something) Sadly, the only downpoint in some of their music is the yearning to be a pop band along with a sassy jazz rock-prog-crossover band.

Thrill of the Fall is right up there with Just Wait off their EP in its epicness. The intro is definitely the proggiest I've heard of all their music. Synchronized harmonies, soaring melodies, very creative rhythms, and an overall fantastic performance!

Now We've Made Our Ascent is a more laid back jazz backed track with swinging melodies and nice crossovers with the piano and guitar. Vocal melodies are, as always, at their peak performance, with catchy harmonies and creativity abounding.

Symptoms of a Stumbling is more pop-based, but is still a good track overall. Much slower and melodic, the piano work is steady and persistent, with that "tear-jerking" beauty of a well composed piece.

Bullets in the Air is another absolutely superb track. Again the band explores more experimental sounds, with some out there sounds and voicings with saxophone and cello. This song is up there with Thrill of the Fall as one of the best tracks on the album.

Flowers by the Moon is a beautiful soft jazz fusion song. The cello adds a very soft touch, exploring more sounds yet again and expanding Kindo's impressive pallet for wonderful music.

Nightingale is another more pop based song, but the band keeps things interesting with fun rhythms and piano work sweeping in and out. The song isn't the best, but is a good crossover between Kindo's jazz side and Kindo's pop song, appealing to both audiences.

Blistered Hands is another beautiful and slow acoustic song. More strings are heard, showing a small and exciting pattern for the band. Powerful lyrics and vocal melodies really make the song nice.

Out of Sight, Out Mind is another exciting track, with some creative percussive work, that signature piano sound, and nice jazzy solo trade offs between guitar and sax, exercising Kindo's instrumental prowess, which could still use some work.

Comfort in the Orchestration is another slower more pop-based song. The sound is a more traditional pop-rock format and has less creativity and more "boring" than the other exciting songs.

City Lights and Traffic Sounds is similar to the previous song, but is less poppy and more soft jazz rock. The mostly instrumental song is a nice break from some of the more bombastic fun songs, and really adds a nice touch to the album.

Battling the Years picks up where Flowers by the Moon left off, with more of their creative jazzy sound. Again the song is more pop based, but is still creative and fun to listen to.

Soon It Shall Be is a much slower parlor-like acoustic song. Its very soft and relaxing, with powerful melody and harmony. The song is odd compared to most of their music, but really opens their variety up even more.

Psalm is one of the better soft songs on the album. Creative lyrics meld with the melody very nicely, with some constant and catchy piano riffing mixed with some nice violin. It really closes the album on a relaxing and beautiful note. Crescendos make the song not dreary and boring constantly but excites at certain points.

ALBUM OVERALL: Very strong coming in, a little weak coming out. This album really flexes The Reign of Kindo's creative muscles. Songs like Thrill of the Fall and Bullets in the Air are extremely fun and really switch up the band's traditional sound to a very exciting one. As the album progresses, the band puts in a few more pop songs, which are a little disappointing. However, each of these songs have a small part that bridges both the prog side and the pop side. The album exits on a much softer, relaxed note, making the entire album very pleasant to listen to. So yes, That IS what happens! 4+ stars.

As a debut EP, this album is fantastic. As you can see in some of the other albums, there is no overbearing pop element in the music, which allows the many other influences to blossom within the music. The album has fantastic continuity, with each track flowing in and out of each other as one epic 20+ minute track (that's how I see it!)

Set The Stage, Cue the Music is purely an intro, and there isn't much to say, other than with the preliminary piano, you can tell the album will. The song flawlessly fades into the next track, feeding the continuity of the album.

Needle & Thread is a fantastic track. The prominent jazz influence mixed with the blues-rock influence really makes this song fun and creative. Rhythms and melodies are at their best, as are all the many layered effects on the guitars, giving the track a subtle psychedelic feel, also.

Hard to Believe is essentially a Jazz Rock song. The intro makes not only a great Reign of Kindo song but would also make a fantastic Dave Brubeck song! The guitar and vocal melody work is fantastic, almost reminiscent of some Spock's Beard work (but only slightly). Another great track, adding to this great masterpiece.

Just Wait is not only the best song on this album, but also the best song the band has written so far, hands down, no argument. The song is just fantastic. So much is running through this song. The Jazz is obvious, but subtle influences such as reggae, soul, pop and even a little bit of classic prog could be found in the song, along with so much more. What a great track!

Do You Realize is a much slower and more majestic song than its predecessors. It focuses more on melodic beauty than anything else.

One Man Paradise is a beautiful closer. It really relaxes you thoroughly as you listen to it. Vocal melody and piano work are superb, as is the rest of the track.

ALBUM OVERALL: What a fantastic debut. The EP combines everything good about The Reign of Kindo. So many influences and feels are in this short little recording session. Its beauty really does scare me: in a really good way, of course! No doubt this is a masterpiece of music. 5 stars.

The Reign of Kindo's first full studio album is a fantastic effort. Each track has so many beautiful elements it's hard to give a thorough review. Although, through all these, one of these elements is the attempt at being pop, which pulls the masterpiece tag back a bit. However, the overall album is extremely good.

The Moments in Between opens the album with near tear jerking beauty. The piano and drums really headline this track, with fantastic vocal melodies sweeping throughout the track. Creative rhythms with punchy bass makes this track not only majestic, but also a rocking masterpiece.

Breathe Again is one of those tracks that is good, but overall is just an attempt to get radio playtime (which isn't bad, but when you're trying to be more pop than prog, it isn't). The Rhodes piano intro is nice and soft, and again the great vocal melodies make the song a real pleasure to listen to. Now, don't get me wrong, the song is great, and the chorus is fantastically catchy, but is a little too pop based for my liking.

Great Blue Sea is a quicker more majestic song than some of the others. The song is appropriate, with sweeping melodies and psychedelic guitar parts making one feel as if they are floating above just that.

Let It Go is the unessential pop song on the album. Where Breathe Again had some cool prog elements, this song is really just pure pop. The trumpet solo breaks the monotony, but sadly it is short. Overall, this is most likely the weakest track on the album.

Nice to Meet You is also more poppy, but also has some nice jazz based melodies and rhythms, making this track more creative than its poppy predecessor. Crescendos and swinging melodies and rhythms really make this track unique.

Till We Make Our Ascent is definitely one of the best on the album. The crescendoing intro breaks into a nice song overall. The post-chorus verse instrumental sections really change the pace of the album nicely. Rhythms are creative as always, as are the jazz influences piano work.

Something in the Way That You Are is a bit more pop based again, but is still good. A strong sense of soul and soft jazz is present, which changes this highly dynamic album yet again. Sweeping melodies again come in, and the catchy chorus make this track one of the better on the album. Dynamics and instrumental sections are fun and creative, also.

The title instrumental track is no doubt one of the best on the album. There is so many dynamic parts that there is no reason why it shouldn't be. A haunting piano intro opens the song on a melancholy note, and although it doesn't change, the beautiful melodies make it no doubt one of the more beautiful songs I've heard in a long time.

The previous track really is a nice opener for the next track, I Hear That Music Play, a fun and creative song. The signature Reign of Kindo sound is present throughout the album, with highly present piano and drums and backing psychedelic sounding guitar work. Another creative effort, another great song.

The Memory of Our Day is on a similar pace as the title track in the beginning, but that changes drastically as the song progresses. Quick stepping verses and choruses make this song a real treat.

Morning Cloud is the beginning of a fantastic exit for the album. Creative rhythms and melodies are beautiful. The guitar is a bit more prominent in this song, with some parts even crunching in their amplifiers that give yet another dynamic to the album. The drum solos are highly jazz influenced, and the entire track just is really fun, with some great instrumental work.

Hold Out, the closing track, one of the best in the collection, never mind just on the album! The song crescendos into one of the most fun, creative and rhythmically fantastic songs I've heard. Dynamics swim in and out of the song, from quick to soft to quick to soft, and back again! There are so many influences throughout the song, it really makes the entire album. What a song!!!

ALBUM OVERALL: What a great album! Each track has a sprig of something great, whether it be jazz or soul or hard rock or Latin swing! The only drawback on the album is the strong element of pop in some of the tracks that detracts from the progressive beauty. 4+ stars!