THE KIN
Tracing
Alethia Music 2004
www.thekin.tv

Read the Isaac Koren interview

What’s the 4-1-1?
The debut release from Australian brothers that have taken New York City and most of the East Coast by storm.

Genre
Rock / pop-rock / alternative

The Good
Young love is the focal point of “Fall”. The song is mobbed with hypnotic drum beats, lively rhythms, and catchy melodies. Vocalist Isaac Koren is compassionate and moving with his vocal delivery on “Walls”. The calming piano and layered backing vocals only add to the emotion of how Isaac has put up a barrier since his ex-lover burned him. The percussion and piano have a nice rhythmic bounce to them on “No Words”. Koren throws in some falsetto vocals to try an up the ante. His brother, guitarist Thorry Koren chimes in with some blaring guitar licks.

The piano heavy ballad “Arise” is short on words, but makes up for it with its empowering delivery. “Bargeman” has a Sting influence written all over it; the tone, the drum style, and even the vocal delivery. A woman trapped in an abusive relationship is what “Should Have Told Him” is all about. It will take you on a roller coaster of emotions much like the character is go through. The instrumentation builds and builds until the songs conclusion.

The Bad
Nothing notable.

The Verdict
In the vein of Coldplay, Elton John, and Ben Folds, The Kin tear it up with emotionally charged ballads and memorable rockers.

Did You Know?
The Kin used to be called The Harlequin.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne