Wind Instrument
Take This To Heart, 2017
10/10
A Chicago outfit who mesh pop-punk, alt-rock and ‘90s Midwest emo, Kali Masi deliver a striking first album that’s a little rough around the edges but still very precise, and is highly energetic, but still makes time for slower ebbs of gritty restraint.
After the warm, bare guitar of the opener “Some Friends”, the tune bursts into a fuzzed out, anthemic rocker with strong vocal work and swirling melodies, and “Her Palms Were Read” follows with a similar punchy atmosphere with a slightly darker spirit.
In the middle, “Recurring (II)” leads with a quieter delivery before charged, yet tuneful punk rock settles in nicely amid glowing hooks, while “Ghost (Pottery Scene)” remains calm for the most part with heartfelt introspection. “Lunger”, an album highlight, showcases the sort of soaring singing that’s rarely displayed in punk, but in a cautious but no less powerful delivery.
At the end, the crunchy “Sputter” brings us back to the early days of Taking Back Sunday only more raw, dare I say more exciting, and “C.A.” ends the listen with nearly 7 minutes of backing vocals, simmering instrumentation and tuneful dynamics that never out welcome its stay.
Debut albums are rarely this fluid, cohesive and memorable. These 5 guys are really onto something here; let’s hope more is on the horizon soon, cause Wind Instrument is one of the best punk rock albums in recent history.
Travels well with: The Menzingers- On The Impossible Past; Bad Luck- Drug Phase