The Duke Spirit - Kin
The London UK rockers The Duke Spirit haven’t been heard from since their last album in 2011, Bruiser. This month The Duke Spirit are back in fine form with Kin.
Kin features a varied selection of guest performers including Mark Lanegan, Terry Edwards and Mara Caryle, but the core band is definitely the star attraction here.
The band’s sound is a unique mix of garage band grunge and psychedelic Prog Rock. What really appeals to me is that the music /lyric mix is original and refreshing like a speed of light jaunt through the milkyway.
Oh, and also very pleasing to the earholes as well.
The ten songs included on Kin vary from the all out rockers to the slow ballad. For me, the up tempo tunes are the stand outs.
My favourite track, “Sonar”, takes you on a dreamy journey into a spaced out mind and body experience parallel to a darkened void, yeah, this one’s not to be missed.
The garage rock side of the band surfaces on the songs “Hands” and “Side By Side”, which are both reminiscent of another classic brit band, Wolf Alice.
Some of the quieter moments showcase their song writing wizardry. This Harry Pottery is evident on “Pacific”, a real lyrical beauty, and then giving way to the strong guitar riff infested “Anola”.
The lead singer, Liela Moss, is one of those singers whose voice bounces in your head long after she invades it, well, she definitely did for me.
Finishing off this multidimensional musical excursion, “100 Horses Run”, is a visually stunning track. I say visual because the band somehow creates a musical image that pops into your imagination. What a great song.
With Kin, The Duke Spirit has created a piece of work that needs to be experienced. These are the albums I enjoy listening to, as the listener is enveloped into the music and after the experience is done, you know you were part of something special. This is one of the year’s best!
