Posted on September 14, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

ODIO (That’s what we love)

Last night – while playing with Tiny Tide – I introduced the song “Tiny Trains” as “a trip on the train of HATE”. Is HATE the feeling becoming stronger than Love? We need something strong to cause a reaction, and frequently a good slap in the face can do the trick more efficiently than a smooth caress. Angry, wild, untamed. These are the kind of feelings aiming “The Kiara Elles” debut along with their “ODIO Ep”. Yet another “Vandal” production, the band from Leeds is leaded by the charismatic chanteuse Chiara Lucchini, with the great Jonny Lee Hart (the very soul of Vandal Records) taking care of guitars just to make sure that all of Kiara Elles energy won’t get wasted. Echoes, a 70′s rough guitar and a garage guitar puts the opening track of the EP (“ODIO”) at the top of the would-be-most-wonted top tracks for the definite indie party of the town, sharing with us an incredible track with echoes of “The Long Blondes” early demos on our mind along with a post-punk aftertaste on the ears. Why I really HATE this track? It last 2:29″ ONLY! I really hope that “Vandal Records” will consider a 12″ edition whenever PIGS Nights will have a revival! The bass line is absolutely brilliant, reminding of “The Joy Division” in the first moments of the song. It’s quite impressive that Emma Quick left the keyboards to Amy Greir for bass guitar never having touched that instrument before!

“Night Terrors” is possibly the most indie track of the album as we used to perceive it on 2005/2006 years: a cross between “The Organ” and “Le Tigre” on disco-punk drum kicks.

Funny thing about that one… is that I wrote a song called “Total Groupie”, so I find myself quite comfortable on it! Kiara Helles’ “Supergroupie” – despite anyone would say – it’s a really enjoyable hell of a track! And for a a bunch of different reasons! First of all… it’s happy! The song really takes the EP to adifferent and unpredictable direction, without having the band to loose its personality. It’s fun and full of irony (while my song is inspired by “Almost Famous” I heard that the song was written after a Kate Moss speech at a party).  I do say taht Supergroupie really really do its job: it’s so full of different sides that could be suitable on a “Sick Tamburo” or “Superbus” work as well!

“Rust” carries on following the same course of “ODIO” in a less compulsive way. We heard the slap and now we’re left meditating on what’s remaining of that sour feeling with a hand on the cheek. What’s left when a relationship is compromised? Frequently only rust. Amy’s hypnotic synths lead us through then next song.

Hanging on to the next “Vandal Record” release you’ll have the chance to see that band live on the following upcoming shows:

Saturday October 10th @ Leeds Library
Friday October 16th @ London, Bangers and Mash (Proud Galleries)

Despite their ODIO, give the band all your love and support. They deserve it!

The Kiara Elles – Rust

Let it ring on...

• Slide Over Kiara (0)
• Hey Weirdo! It’s Belladonna! (0)
• A Dharma Initiative (0)