Genre: Alternative/Indie/Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date:2008-10-21
Label: Milan

"Both the Decemberists and the Dead Trees are from Oregon, but this album and the Hazards of Love couldn't be more different. King of Rosa is much more straight forward: an energetic, ten song, 35 minute burst of guitar and drums that recalls the alternative rock heyday of the 1990s. Some of the tracks are inspired by the Stooges and Exile-era Stones, others by more recent bands like Radiohead, Wilco, and Supergrass. "Shelter" recalls Lennon's primal scream therapy period, "My Friend Joan" fuses the Band with the Shins, and toward the end of the album, Ray Davies exerts quite an influence. Mostly, the band employs a stripped down bass, guitars, drums attack, though it gets more acoustic toward the end. The drumming, much to my surprise, is more dynamic and inspired than it is in most bands you'll hear today. Unfortunately, the CD has no band information on the inside sleeve. They shouldn't be so modest. Kings of Rosa is an impressive album, and I look forward to hearing what these guys are going to do next."