Sunday 11 July 2010



NEW MUSiC: It Kills

(photo: Matt Dunlap)

There’s a kind of hush all over It Kills‘ self-titled debut album, a whisper–or the idea of a whisper–that flows through the music, hinting at an inside joke between the band’s three members (Lisa Lipton, William Robinson, and Solomon Vromans) that, as listeners, we’re not privy to, but know of it’s existence all the same.  It’s a little unsettling, not knowing exactly what’s going on, but it makes for some excited listening.

Song titles give you no indication of what to expect from these Haligonians (all former members of I See Rowboats).  Album opener “Dragons” could very well be the soundtrack for an ancient aboriginal fire ritual; “No Ice” might be a long-lost spiritual chant from a long-dead sect.  It’s best to take in It Kills emotionally rather than literally.  They are skilled at creating mood and atmosphere with the music, creating an emotional, sensory experience.  “Le Coup”, a mostly instrumental track, is quickly becoming one of my favourite songs of late thanks to it’s non-traditional string arrangement that veers from melancholy to mesmerizing in just a few bars.  After two-thirds of the song is done, a haunting chorus of voices comes in, taking over from the strings but maintaining that same atmosphere before it all bleeds into (next song) “Jump Kid”.  East Coast sea shanties these are not.

It Kills have some scattered show dates in B.C. and Alberta this week, before heading back east for a pair of shows in Montreal and starting August off at Sappyfest in Sackville, NB.

It Kills is self-released.  Head to their Myspace page to contact the band and get yourself a copy.

MP3: It Kills “Sailor”
Mysapce: It Kills





by J. Di Gioia | Comments Off

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