The Silence Kit's Pat McCay, photo by Angelique Buckley.
The Silence Kit's new album "Dislocations" brings together the hooky bass, post-punk song formation, and vocals that have clearly defined the band since inception. With McCay's signature vocals which bring to mind a darker version of Catherine Wheel's Rob Dickinson (especially as heard on "Five Seconds") the group's post-wave sound is occasionally intimidating. Although there is certainly something here that pulls the shades down on this production compared to the group's 2008 release; we'll be damned if "Dislocations" isn't a fine listen when it comes down to the layering of guitar melodies (especially when heard on rad opener "Let There Be No Hurt"), and we love the light they brought in on the songwriting for "The Magician".
You can really hear the styles that The Silence Kit are trying to work into the mix from synth (we have to gush over the ending on "Five Seconds") and new wave, to the inspiration that comes from a darker and more brooding sound that edges along the lines of a true Factory release. We get where Pat McCay and co. want to take these songs--and we like that you can really lean in and grab hold.
"Dislocations" is the third full-length for the group and although this album seems like the darker half to 2008's "A Strange Labor", we're digging in. We look forward to seeing these tracks performed live at the group's Philadelphia CD release party on February 27th at The Khyber (56 S. 2nd Street) in Philadelphia, along with sets featuring The Standard Model ("the band’s tight, dynamic rhythms and chiming guitar tones drive the tracks dominated by Franco Franus’ vocals") from NYC, and serving up the punch are locals' Tina Kaffeyah and also Party Photographers, with their satisfying velveteen garage crunch. Can't wait!
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