Dead Eyes
Self-Released, 2019
9/10
Listen to Dead Eyes
A jazz-punk trio from Birmingham, Alabama, on this debut the young KinZie outfit play like seasoned vets and birth a unique version of indie-rock that’s as innovative as it is memorable.
“Heavy Head” gets the LP started out with a bouncy, intricate approach that’s full of math-rock tendencies and a whole lot of melody, and “Love Is A Chemical” follows with a more subdued setting that’s full of crisp instrumentation and dynamic interplay between the three.
An album where each tune brings new surprises, “The Process”recruits a darker feel with a Joy Division like quality that’s adventurous and quirky, while “Dead Eyes” trims the pace back to a J Robbins-esque moment of post-punk beauty.
The back half of the record shines, too, with the crunchy alt-rock of “Brutus”, the shimmering pop-influenced “Wicked Ways” and the cautious, very jazz friendly “Catharsis”, which is a highlight in a listen where each tune is first rate. “Oh Well” ends the affair percussively strong with firm guitar work on an ominous exploration into their vast skill.
Punk, indie, grunge fans and, really, anyone with an ear for unconventional rock sounds will likely find Dead Eyes as fascination as i do. Easily one of the year’s best records, I’d get on board now, cause they these guys are going to be everyone's new favorite thing soon.
Travels well with: Minus The Bear- Omni; The Dismemberment Plan- Change