Winnipeg's KEN Mode have always been the best kind of disaster: over five albums, (including a Polaris Prize nomination and both a Juno nomination and a win), the trio have wrought vicious, virulent aural destruction. Defined by a complex, world-coming-down sound than combined the hardcore and the metallic, noise and doom, and crystalized by a deep and violent misanthropy, their records have always been dense, complicated, gorgeously ugly things.
For those familiar with the glorious mess that has long been a significant part of KEN Mode's sound, Success will come as a bit of a shock. Recorded by Steve Albini, their latest effort is much leaner and colder, a stripped-down noise-rock album that is still driven forward by the howls of Jesse Matthewson's blistering anger, but much cleaner and more pointed, a lance instead of a wrecking ball. The record is also unquestionably their catchiest, with some of the best hooks and most awfully infectious songwriting of the band's career.
It's clean and tight, with a precision of intent and clarity of vision, even if its cool, calculating feel makes one occasionally long for their bruised and bloodied, messy past.
(Season of Mist)For those familiar with the glorious mess that has long been a significant part of KEN Mode's sound, Success will come as a bit of a shock. Recorded by Steve Albini, their latest effort is much leaner and colder, a stripped-down noise-rock album that is still driven forward by the howls of Jesse Matthewson's blistering anger, but much cleaner and more pointed, a lance instead of a wrecking ball. The record is also unquestionably their catchiest, with some of the best hooks and most awfully infectious songwriting of the band's career.
It's clean and tight, with a precision of intent and clarity of vision, even if its cool, calculating feel makes one occasionally long for their bruised and bloodied, messy past.