Chromatics | Kill For Love

Italians Do It Better (2012)
By ANDREW GRAHAM  |  April 24, 2012
3.5 3.5 Stars

ch1

Chromatics fans have become very familiar with the sensation of anticipation, almost to the point of numbness. The group's career arc has been unconventional, starting as a Portland, Oregon, garage/noise band in the early 2000s. Over the course of numerous lineup changes (and a steadily rotating cast of increasingly ethereally-voiced singers), they've transformed their sound from abrasive punk-rock to sultry, cloying, and evocative dance-pop. This gradual metamorphosis peaked with 2007's Night Drive, a set of demo recordings produced for sale on tour — the impact exceeded not only the band's expectations, but their label's ability to meet the unexpected (and immense) demand. The pause that followed Night Drive has only made things more dramatic. Kill for Love has been "in the making" for as long as it takes most people to finish college. Chromatics' knack for hooks and melody remains potent, however, and Ruth Radelet's detached, lethargic vocals ache with implicit longing. Her wistful paeans with women as their subject feel less sexually ambiguous than romantically ambivalent. Adam Miller's guitars still echo — without imitating — Joy Division and New Order, and Johnny Jewel's trademark retro-futuro-electro production sound underpins this 16-track set with a dreamy, after-the-afterparty atmosphere that feels like it could go on all night long.

  Topics: CD Reviews , Music, Arts, CD reviews,  More more >
| More


Most Popular
ARTICLES BY ANDREW GRAHAM
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   NEIL YOUNG INSPIRES A CHILL NEW WAVE  |  November 08, 2012
    Over six decades, Neil Young's musical expression has expanded beyond the rock and roll of his nascent years and the folk-rock that brought him his initial burst of renown.
  •   HOW TO DRESS WELL | TOTAL LOSS  |  September 12, 2012
    To the casual ear, there might not be a dramatic difference between Tom Krell's debut album (2010's Love Remains) and Total Loss, his potent new collection of ethereal hymns.
  •   FRANK OCEAN | CHANNEL ORANGE  |  July 24, 2012
    Since the ’80s, when R&B began to lean more heavily on the candid bling-and-booty-centric tropes championed by its plain-speaking hip-hop cousins, the music’s subtlety, nuance, and imagination have faded.
  •   CHROMATICS | KILL FOR LOVE  |  April 24, 2012
    Chromatics fans have become very familiar with the sensation of anticipation, almost to the point of numbness.
  •   CUBIC ZIRCONIA | FOLLOW YOUR HEART  |  October 25, 2011
    Tiombe Lockhart has been hustling her hot vocal talents for an indie-neo-soul minute now, dropping arresting guest spots with PPP, Waajeed, and Kingdom.

 See all articles by: ANDREW GRAHAM