edgexpunk's Full Review: Kaleidoscope Superior by Earthsuit
Modern Christian rock music is usually up to par with secular/mainstream rock. Some bands are more memorable than others, but most notable Christian bands at least have the makings of a few good "hits." Many potential Christian rock classics, however, go unnoticed. Case in point: Earthsuit's criminally underrated and aptly-titled Kaleidoscope Superior.
The music is nigh impossible to peg, but one could describe the opening bang of "One Time" as bombastic, progressive rock with jazz undertones, ragga vocals, arena-moving melodies and rap-metal edge. Still, such musical amazement could be described in several other ways as well. One of the song's most notable aspects is its tongue-twisting ragga-rap bridge set to electronic vibes and an intense rock buildup. The synth bleeps of "Wheel" lead to an intense guitar riff, breakbeats and jazz keys, as a starter. Its defining feature is its powerful, melodic chorus against a bed of distortion. Let's not forget its dreamy bridge that overrides with jazz-rock and trippy vocals. "Against the Grain" boasts aggressive and well-executed rap verses over a jazzy rock backdrop and a bouncy, soaring pop/rock chorus. Add an unexpected, laid-back bridge and political lyrical gems and you have an album highlight. The sound of album closer "Sky Flashings" is suspiciously similar to Earthsuit frontman Paul Meany's new project, Mute Math: echoing ambiance, thick beats and ethereal, progressive rock vocals with subtle jazz/Latin undertones. "Schizophreniac"'s creepy pianos are a perfect match for vocalist Adam LaClave's zombie-like register and both contrast excellently with the assaulting rap-metal chorus, which begs you to shout along "schizophreniac!"
The band's extremely eclectic persona adapts well to softer rock elements as well: eloquent reggae and vintage hip-hop vibes permeate "Whitehorse"'s verses, while an absolutely moving rock chorus fits perfectly. The band's most acoustic outing "Said the Sun to the Shine" boasts layers of distorted, synthesized ambiance and unusual, half-sung, half-rapped vocals, before the song rises to a rock surface and Paul Meany's Sting-like vocals chime in, finally leading to a beautifully melodic acoustic chorus. All these musical components later bleed together. "Wonder"'s verses are dominated by funky guitars, jazz keys and laid-back, urban crooning. The chorus takes a 180 degree turn for catchy acoustic pop, and the band even squeezes in a bridge of infectious "ba-ba's."
None of these songs are less than good, but a few fall short of excellent. One of them being "Do You Enjoy the Distortion?," which tries a little too hard to be eclectic (it opens with a bagpipe sample, and unsatisfying rap-rock segments are scattered throughout). It sports utterly bizarre lyrics to boot. Also, the band follows its own formula a little too closely on "Osmosis Land," right down to a chanted bridge that pails in comparison to "One Time"'s. The song also suffers from repetitiveness (though I'll take an album that occasionally copies itself to one that constantly copies a bazillion other bands any day).
Lyrically, Kaleidoscope is above your typical Christian rock-radio songs, thus a little weirdness is excusable. For example: "I've got the kingdom of darkness talking that I am a psycho … Funkmouth to bootcha" ("One Time"); "mad fuzz give birth to the sound" ("Distortion"); "got 66 rounds of schizophrenic sounds … spare me no room for the fat" ("Schizophreniac" — what the deuce?). Also, "you want to find the philosophies of the Play-Doh" ("One Time"). Shouldn't that be "Plato"?
Overall, Kaleidoscope Superior may be a forgotten Christian rock gem, but I consider it unforgettable. If you like what you hear, also check out Mute Math and Adam LaClave's side-project Macrosick.
Track Listing:
1. "One Time" (5 stars)
2. "Wheel" (4 stars)
3. "Whitehorse" (4.5 stars)
4. "Against the Grain" (4.5 stars)
5. "Do You Enjoy the Distortion?" (3.5 stars)
6. "Wonder" (4.5 stars)
7. "Osmosis Land" (3 stars)
8. "Schizophreniac" (4 stars)
9. "Said the Sun to the Shine" (4.5 stars)
10. "Sky Flashings" (4 stars)
Overall: 5 stars
For Fans Of: Mute Math, UB40, Beck, Rage Against the Machine, dc Talk, P.O.D.
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