The Kissaway Trail - "Breach" Review

Artist: The Kissaway Trail

Album: Breach

Label: Yep Roc Records
Release Date: August 20^th, 2013

Review by: Sean Kayden

Denmark indie rock group The Kissaway Trail’s existence in the states is comparatively unknown, but with their third album, “Breach,” they hope to change all that. After the departure of two founding band members in 2012, the internal discord could have imploded the band all together. Instead, the group ultimately decided to stay together as a trio. However, their sound is tighter and more cohesive than ever before. With material of theirs played at a Google Glass conference earlier this year, they may be heading out of obscurity. Nonetheless, the real test comes with the reformed band and their latest release. “Breach,” The Kissaway Trail’s first album in over three years touches greatness. Back are the huge crescendos and anthem driven songs found on previous affairs. Rather than completely treading the same ground, the band has pushed their limits into new heights. They may look and sound familiar, but this is a brand new frontier they’re embarking on. After hearing the first track, “Telly The Truth (The Breach),” I was fully on board to follow them into the unknown.

I’ve always found this band to be criminally underrated. I love the vocals of Thomas L. Fagerlund especially when you can make out what he’s singing. With the combination of dreamy rock and minimalistic synthesizers, “Breach” dabbles in both 90s indie rock and 80s snyth-pop. The record is more in your face at times than, their debut self-titled album and sophomore release “Sleep Mountain.” “Breach” bleeds with a youthful and anthemic resonance. The record settles on an ethereal vibe most of the way through. It’s painfully romantic at times with tracks like, “Beauty Still Rebels” and “Sarah Jevo.” The production values seem to be higher than previous efforts because The Kissaway Trail has created an enormous sound with their third LP. “So Sorry, I’m Not” dabbles with darker snyths this time around. This is the track that kicks off the second half album where the band takes a bit of a  detour. However, as it may be, it was a diversion worth taking. The Kissaway Trail may share some comparisons with better-known acts such as Arcade Fire. Don’t think for a second this is second-rate material. In fact, “Breach” proves to be an outstanding record that will be disappointing if it doesn’t launch the band from anonymity to celebrated indie rock act.

I must say the single, “Nørrebro,” which is awesome in its own right felt slightly out of place. It sounds more like a modern day rock track, with the rest of the album wearing its influences on their sleeves. There is nothing wrong with that.  Still, for “Breach,” it tilts the album just a bit from smooth sailing. However, with the exception of the two instrumental songs that don’t provide too much thrill, I was hard pressed to find a flawed song on the compilation. In the end, I was completely enamored by “Breach.” It’s usage of prior sounds of generations before them really shows, but never overshadows the bands artistic intentions. The influences merely add an element to the record, but it’s the way The Kissaway Trail puts together the pieces that demonstrates their pure talent. “Breach” may be the ticket The Kissaway Trail has always needed, but regardless of gaining popularity, the record shines with or without a new fan base. Those willing not to take a chance on these guys will miss out on the incredible and pure emotive experience that “Breach” effortlessly guides you along on.

Grade: 9.3 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Telly The Truth (The Breach),” “Cuts Of Youth (Razor Love),” “The Springsteen Implosion,” “Sarah Jevo,” and "The Sinking”

Published by Mountain Views News on September 7th, 2013
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v07/htm/n36/p13.htm