Review Summary: Nothing like it's predecessor, which is both a blessing and a curse. Welcome to the radio, Kisschasy.
Melbourne band Kisschasy's 2005 debut 'United Paper People' was a fun little Aussie Pop/Rock album, with catchy hooks and lyrics. Unfortunately for them, and their label, not enough people heard it. Singles 'Do Dos and Whoa-hos' and 'Face Without A Name' got airplay on some commercial stations, and the usual support for Aussie bands that comes from Triple J.
The album however had a profound effect on the future of Aus youth music, causing influence changes in bands ranging from The Getaway Plan to Horsell Common, and assisiting in the start-up of new local bands such as Blackpool Lights, In Fiction and Angela's Dish. This led to 'United Paper People' being one of the most heralded albums in Australia that year, and it gained almost a cult following among the US Emo/Punk fans within Australia.
So it was with a sense of occasion that the next LP from Kisschasy was released, as it was justifiably felt that this could determine the direction of this genre in Australian music for the years to come. New single 'Opinions Won't Keep you Warm at Night' got considerable circulation on all broadcast channels around the country, as well as MTV and other music networks. Seriously, alot of coverage.
This could be due to the selection of themes by vocalist Darren Cordeaux. I think the idea of being a cheeky bunch of boys singing to the masses about topics that could get them in trouble was more interesting than keeping to the structure of the previous album. The songs aren't necessarily bad, the album certainly has it's high points. It just sounds too much like a radio record. So far of the 12 songs listed on the CD, 4 singles have been released over the course of the past 12 months, meaning that once a new single is released, you can guarantee yourself that it will be maybe the second or third song on radio or television for enough time to make you want to belt yourself with a coffee table. The other issue is, they seem to choose songs that, prior to their release, were fun and enjoyable to listen to. After a few weeks of solid circulation you reach for the dial as soon as the recognisable firsts strains hit your ears. The singles so far are: 'Opinions Won't Keep You Warm at Night,' 'Spray on Pants,' 'Strings and Drums,' and 'Ugly Birds in a Beautiful Cage.'
So how does this fare for the rest of the album? Not well unfortunately. Hymns For the Non-Believer gets a bit too repetitive, on all the topics it adresses. The self-deprecating scene anthem 'Spray On Pants' is a laugh at first, a smile at second, then a chore at third. 'Strings and Drums' was one of my favourites prior to release, and not to sound purist, but once EVERYONE was singing it word for word, it became another casuality of Australian music, on par with Faker's 'This Heart Attack,' Birds of Tokyo's 'Silhouettic' and Behind Crimson Eyes' 'You've had your Chance' in terms of social annoyance. All good songs, but just too much air time. Now this is surely a purist stance to take on music. I don't want to sound like a troll, with the whole 'Radio? Oh that is not good news for this album!' then using the disc as a coaster for my glass of people blood. I don't know. It can be said though however, that listening to an album and having a connection with a band through their music is something that you don't really want to share with other people. Such was my feeling for UPP, that once I heard people raving about some of my favourite tunes from that, simply after seeing (example) 'Strings and Drums' on Channel [V] three times in an hour, then preceeding to Limewire and downloading everything they could get their mitts on, then preceeding to discuss with the world their undying love for said tracks.
This perhaps is one of the perils of being part of the Myspace generation, and everything appealing to everyone.
After so much bitching however, there are a few beacons of hope. The slower ballads on the album such as 'Real and Untouched' and 'Ugly Birds...' are nicely done, with crooning vocals and background samples providing an eerie, yet safe mood for the listener. The album also tries to walk a heavier line musically to UPP. Songs such as 'My Bible is a Scrapbook' and 'Tiny Plastic Cup' are driven by distortion and pulsing drum beats, even if the vocals are mainly as sugary as ever. A few songs to bring back memories of Kisschasy's last album include the fun of 'Factory' and the album's solid opener 'The Perfect Way to Meet,' as well as the sombre tones reminiscent of previous cult hit 'Black Dress' revived for the haunting hit 'Ghost.'
All up, Kisschasy's 'Hymns for the Non-Believer' isn't a terrible album viewed on it's own. The production is solid, if not very occasionally overdone, the lyrics and vocals have their moments, and the musical skill of all the band members appears to not have suffered for the commercial appeal of the album. It sounds as though I have simply bashed it through this review due to it's stratospheric amounts of air-time. Don't get me wrong, I will be waiting for the next album from 'the Chasy' as I still love them to bits. But I almost feel now that it's a guilty love.
Case in point, Fall Out Boy. Although they had play in the states, you guys have a huge scene. The first song we heard from Fall Out Boy was 'Dance Dance' and that was on American Top 40 with Ryan Semencrest. I had loved 'Take This to Your Grave.' It was a fresh breath of air from the states, fun and light hearted. Much the same as 'United Paper People.' Then the radios grabbed hold of Fall Out Boy. And what kind of band are they now? Even in Australia. I am not against bands being successful on the big stage, as long as they can still perform to the standards you know they are capable. Comparing 'Take This To Your Grave' to 'Infinity on High' is without doubt the proverbial apples and oranges. Once they become corporate puppets for a musical moneybag... They need to be let to die.
The final word is though, that this album leaves the listener under-whelmed and wishing that we actually got to see what Kisschasy were capable of. Knowing the Aussie spirit, and believing thouroughly in it, I know they'll come back with a knockout third. Their live show is outstanding too, always a good sign.
Hymns for the Non-Believer gets a 3 from a possible 5.
