Review Summary: I hope I'm not enjoying this wrong.
When a band releases several albums within one year, it's rare that their music is of exceptional quality. For the indie-rock band,
Kind Of Like Spitting (KOLS), that is hardly a problem. In their twenty-plus year-long career they've released twelve albums. At their most prolific,
KOLS released four albums in just one year. Ben Barnett, the front-man and main creative force of
KOLS, shows everyone that there is nothing hasty about
One Hundred Dollar Room.
Getting things off to a gloomy start is, "
Hook." With only an acoustic guitar to back him, Barnett's quivering voice sings, "
You, so complete. So much cooler than me. You will be the catch. You, in your sleep, still could land on your feet. You will be the catch of a lifetime." It's fitting that it's title is, "
Hook," seeing as these lyrics are reprised as hooks in the tracks, "
Hoax," and, "
Cater."
"
Hoax," is the better looking sister of, "
Hook." While the lyrics in these two songs are almost a mirror image of each other, the difference between them is like night and day. A simple tempo change transforms the dreary, "
Hook," into the playful, "
Hoax."
One of the most interesting aspects of
One Hundred Dollar Room is the repeating theme line found in "
Hook," "
Hoax," and, "
Cater." With each repetition of these lyrics a fresh interpretation is presented.
"Hook," demonstrates woefulness. Hope becomes apparent on
"Hoax" and, "
Cater," shares the glum revelations of blind faith.
Things only get better from here. Some of
One Hundred Dollar Rooms' best songs make use of a soft/loud dynamic. The best examples appear on, "
Yes, You're Busted," a spirited, punk-inspired track and the metaphor-clad, "
Cater."
KOLS's tempo-play serves as the perfect complement to their emotionally charged narrative.
One Hundred Dollar Room ends with a cover of Billy Braggs', "
Little Time Bomb." It comes as no surprise, since Barnett and the gang have drawn comparisons to the English singer/song-writer since their debut. Like much of
One Hundred Dollar Room, "
Little Time Bomb," is stripped bare and slowed down considerably.
KOLS take what was originally a fast, almost anthem-like song and converted it into a slow, forlorn number matched to fit its haunting lyrics.
Clocking in at just thirty minutes and seven seconds,
One Hundred Dollar Room, feels just shy of greatness.
KOLS keep things short and simple while packing a punch both musically and lyrically. Though this album is a quick listen, it's clear that Barnett and company gave much thought to every line and melody; from the repeating theme line to the highs and lows of . Like any other indie-rock band,
KOLS cover broad topics such as love, life, and the pursuit of happiness. While
One Hundred Dollar Room dropped over ten years ago, today, it sounds as fresh as any of their contemporaries.
