Review: Kaleido – Experience
Artist: Kaleido
Album: Experience
Rating: 9.5/10
Detroit has been home to some of the best artists from every genre over the years. Kid Rock, Eminem, Bob Seger, Iggy and the Stooges, The White Stripes, The Jackson 5, The Supremes and many, many more have called this musical mecca their home. The put-up-or-shut-up nature of the city makes sure that only those who can “hang with the big dogs” make a career there. The next band that seeks to have their name on the list is Kaleido, a 5-piece that refuses to be pigeon-holed into one genre. With their music clearly being influenced by everyone from Guns N Roses to No Doubt, they create a sound that, while accessible to even the most casual of listeners, remains their own. Their debut album, Experience, couldn’t have a more appropriate title. Their trials, failures, successes, tribulations and hardships are set on full display throughout this 13-track aural journey. The band is made up of Christina Chriss (Vocals), Joey Fava (Drums), Cody Morales (Bass), and Ronnie Rosolino & Zach Bolling (Guitars).
Static on the airwaves, followed by a short, radio station introduction kicks the album off before “Blue Collar Delight” hits the listener hard. The track leads off with a high-pitched “oh yeah!” reminiscent of Lzzy Hale and the track has a certain southern charm to it. The track reminds us that, while it might be nice to have everything we want at the drop of a dime, it’s better to work for it. Throughout out this track, Rosolino and Bolling find themselves shining bright.
Perhaps one of my favorite tracks on the album is “Trouble in Paradise,” the second single and probably the only track that ALMOST feels like it doesn’t belong. This track was, undoubtedly, influenced by No Doubt (no pun intended.) The title of the track is re-enforced by an ominous, slow reggae vibe and Chriss’ vocals which are incredibly similar to Gwen Stefani’s. I don’t know if it’s because the track reminds us that, though things can seemingly be perfect, trouble can always be brewing or if it’s just the way the track is executed but.. I can’t get enough of it.
Another stand-out track, especially on the guitar side, is a track that calls out people who feel that you owe them something, once you start to get successful. The track, appropriately titled “No More Little Miss Nice Bitch” has a killer solo that will have you breaking out those air guitars. Somehow, the feel of the track is playful but completely serious, all at the same time. It’s bouncy and fun but hard-hitting and bites you in the ass, creating a wonderful contrast of sound.
If you’re looking for something on the more beautiful, emotional side… “All Together” will pull on your heartstrings with the utmost force. Have you ever been in a relationship that, no matter how hard you tried, seemed destined to fail from the start? You almost always find a way to blame yourself but, in the end, you know that it was a joint effort and the blame is shared. I wouldn’t necessarily call this track a ballad, though to be honest, it does have all the makings of one. Equal parts melancholic and incredibly emotional, it does have a message that will empower the listener not to give up.
Experience is an album that shows, without fail, just how incredible Kaleido is. Individually and collectively, they know that they’ve created something to be truly proud of. It’s an album that reminds us that we’re all human and, though we may feel like we won’t make it out of these ruts we’re in… we can always find a way. The band is currently out on tour with Seether and Letters From the Fire on the “Poison the Parish” tour so, pick up a copy of Experience (out May 19th via Luxor Records) and head out to support these incredible musicians.
“Die Tryin” (Official Music Video)
“Trouble In Paradise” (Official Music Video)
“Love & War (ft. Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm)” (Official Lyric Video)
Kaleido on Tour:
05/11 @ The Dome at Toyota Presents Oakdale – Wallingford, CT *
05/12 @ Funk & Waffles – Syracuse, NY ^
05/13 @ Higher Ground – Burlington, VT ^
05/14 @ House of Blues – Boston, MA *
05/16 @ Upstate Concert Hall – Clifton Park, NY *
05/17 @ Rapids Theatre – Niagara Falls, NY *
05/19 @ Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA *
05/21 @ The Forge – Joliet, IL ^
05/22 @ 20 Monroe Live – Grand Rapids, MI *
05/24 @ St. Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI *
05/25 @ St. Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI *
05/26 @ Route 20 – Racine, WI ^
05/27 @ Sokol Auditorium – Omaha, NE *
05/31 @ Liquid Joe’s – Salt Lake City, UT
06/01 @ Knitting Factory Concert House – Boise, ID * ^
06/05 @ The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA * ^
06/06 @ House of Blues – Anaheim, CA * ^
06/07 @ Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ * ^
06/10 @ The Pageant – Saint Louis, MO * ^
* With Seether & Letters From The Fire
^ With Letters From The Fire ONLY
* ^ With Seether & Through Fire
Buy ‘Experience’ CD
http://www.victorymerch.com/merch/cds…
