Kinch: Collars and Sleeves
Written by Mark Mason
Phoenix band Kinch has released an EP today on their site for free. That alone is pretty cool. However, I am going to review it just like I would review anything else. Kinch is a pop band, and you could throw whatever sub-genre term you want before them. They have a fairly large palate to draw from as their front man Andrew Junker plays piano and guitar. Their guitarist Brian Coughlin is obviously talented, but he shows an exceptional amount of discipline as he never clutters or tarnishes their songs with needless instrumental show off freaks. Cousins Coughlin and Junker are happy to create subtle well constructed pop songs, and along for the ride is a drummer who fits that formula perfectly, Jake Malone. Malone, much like Radiohead drummer Phil Selway adds a lot without getting in the way of the melody.
On Collars and Sleeves we find Kinch sparser and liver than ever. This may be because they're a 3 piece now, but it works well for them.
1. John Adams - Jumpy vampy piano with smart beach boy-esque melodies
2. Carolina Cannonball - Fun up-tempo and kind of snarky lyrics with a perfect guitar tone
3. Girl, You're Gonna Learn to Mind - Sweet minimalist arrangement with a radiohead-esque guitar line
4. Tie Me Lightly - Piano driven intros and choruses with simple bass driven verses held together with a Radiohead-like drum riff.