Kaki King: …until we felt red.
allyssa posted this review onJuly 4th, 2008
The greatest feat for any guitar player to achieve is to learn how to make the instrument sing the words that your lips cannot express. A native from Atlanta, Kaki King has pushed the envelope with her 2006 release, … until we felt red by challenging all of her listeners to do some soul searching and allow her music to satisfy the void. The unique finger picking on this album is enchanting. You might hear traces of flamenco and jazz guitar, alongside Kaki’s own stylistic virtuoso creations. I watched a few of her live performances online, and her complex picking style reminded me a bit of Andy McKee’s instrumental acoustic work. What separates Kaki from other guitarists in this realm, is that her songs are constantly moving in and out of different keys and changing rhythm. She also throws in surprising accent notes where you wouldn’t normally expect them. Her unpredictability is what makes …until we felt red special. Her guitar produces melodies that make me wish I had grown up with her.
Occasionally, Kaki softly sings in a 9-year old choir girl voice about lost lovers and the fear of romance. Under normal circumstances, I would be turned off by her weak voice, but the rest of her music is so androgynous and inventive that I can’t help but celebrate Kaki King as an artist. She floats in and out of yearning. And where her voice is weak and childishly feminine, her fingers are deliberate and caress the emotion of the song fluently. …until we felt red will compel you to commit to loving whomever you please, to bursting into tears when your world crumbles, and most of all, the necessity to rejoice in your individuality. Kaki will tug at your heartstrings as she gently plucks and twangs her lap steel with long fingernails. And as you listen to her arms and fingers float down and around the neck of her guitar, try to soak up her authenticity as an artist. Girls like Kaki deserve a second listen, or maybe eight or nine. So go sit on your rooftop, plug in …until we felt red, snuggle up with your girlfriend and soak up as much of the good life as you possibly can.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:32 am
Brilliant Kaki king rocks