Posted on April 13, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Slide Over Kiara

I like the way Vandal Records works. Having a nice logo it’s not enough (but it’s a really good and smart square one). You have support the band you believe in showing blood and being enough professional to avoid the evidence of any pulpy situation providing a good p.r. working and a fine detailed planning and organization. We already talked about The Kiara Elles, one of the coolest bands of the rooster, being able to catch our attention with the fresh indie club hit “Odio”. We were looking for more and we finally got it: Vandalism releases “Slide Over”, The Kiara Elles first album.

The Kiara Elles spins around the life and vision of Chiara Lucchini, singer and writer of the band. Aggressive, energic, a punk soul to lead the way, she’s not only a real rocker but she enjoys life in all its shades, running around indie clubs and being a DJ herself.  A life lived driving away from everything that’s boring and ordinary. So can you imagine  a better start for an album than a track called “Routine”? It’s suddently pop, and since the first notes it’s impossible not to see we’re already doomed, being Chiara lazy talk on everyday boring actions list the final bullet aiming for our heart.

“The Bet” it’s the stereotype classical Kiara Elles song, very reminding of “ODIO”, but with a stronger and more convincing choir with Pulp remembrances. Though unable to reach the apex of the best Jar Jar episodes, the track can count an a hooking distorted synth being the defenitive hook to the song.  Being “Sunday” my favourite track with the album, with its subtle punk-posh irony and and an atmosphere well balanced between The Horrors and B-52, other tracks like “Switch the Beat” (great bass line, potential CSS stuff on choirs) and “Nine Lives” (don’t worrie, we’re not taking Aeroesmith aboard) are capable to shape the album with a unique identity offering nothing new but coolness and fun.

“Laser Shot” is the latest single, supported by an astonishing video capable of bringing out any best suggestion of a tune very close to ’80s dark wave sounds and sensibility.

The album closes with “Webcam”, the programmatic song of the album bringing Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark to the 21th Century Blokes. I know it’s only a delirious dream, but a four minute version with a David Gilmour solo on a U2 cover of that song would really be a cherry on top. Still we would not deal with indie music anymore, and I betChiara would have something to say to those pompous blokes.

The Kiara Elles – “Sunday”

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