KURT RILEY – Kismet (2016)

Advanced student of Industrial and Labor Relations at a NY University but also fronting Rock bands since his teens, vocalist / guitarist KURT RILEY is releasing a new album titled “Kismet”.
With an obvious affinity for ‘70s glam, ‘80s synth-pop, and arty rock, Riley’s concept package is chock-full of tightly wound nostalgic anthems: equal parts Queen, Alice Cooper, Marc Bolan, New York Dolls and why not, Roxy Music.

The record is a bit like traveling through an incandescent tunnel. Riley, as well, is a ‘trekkie’ (Star Trek) and Science Fiction fan. So in the album, we follow an some kind of story with an alien named King Bandele and his ascent to find his departed queen, Heaven Snow. The trip ultimately depends on the flexibility of the listener, as conceptual albums need adequate imagination poured into them, being ubiquitously visual and unwittingly cerebral.

But “Kismet” can be enjoyed in a random play equally. And what is randomly too is the mixture of styles. None of the tracks sound the same.
The loftiness and boldness of Kismet’s story is likewise matched by its music. “Kismet” is a tribute to decades of glam-rock anthems, but journeys through its universal setting in a long, instrumental opener — the aptly named ‘Eternity’. It’s a synth-wave cosmic tune, a clear homage to ’80s sci-fi B-movies.
But next, ‘Eye of Ra’ feels fresh, taking cues from ‘70s arena rock bombast and stripping that influence down towards its core.

Third track ‘Engines Are Go!’ brings to mind Queen 74/75, the kind of rockers drummer Roger Taylor used to write. Then ‘Theft of Fire’ is a particularly bold number, similar to Ziggy Stardust’s manic propulsions – the song works because it feels real.
As you see, Kurt Riley and “Kismet” are like a chameleon. There’s constant variation, but the album never lose cohesiveness.
Just check ‘Hush Hush Hush’ with its ’80s synth-pop homage (and worn cassettes, you’ll know why after listening to it), ‘Domino’ has some New York Dolls feel, while sonically ‘Human Race’ and specially ‘As We Know It’ are Alice Cooper circa 1977, with some early Kiss too.

“Kismet” is a really interesting record in various aspects: it’s some kind of pastiche from ’70s / ’80s culture both lyrically (also a reference to comics) and musically, mixing all together with nice results.
There’s also hidden homages to particular themes such as cheap sci-fi, LP vinyl & cassette formats (including some intentional lo-fi sounds), groupies, drugs, etc.
The overall feel on the record is retro and ‘arty’, and this is another point of its charm. It was recorded between Riley’s University Music building and his Campus dormitory, and released via the student-run record label Electric Buffalo Records.
It’s definitely worth the trip.

01 – Eternity
02 – Eye of Ra
03 – Engines Are Go!
04 – Theft of Fire
05 – Hush Hush Hush
06 – Domino
07 – As We Know It
08 – Whore
09 – Universe
10 – God’s Back in Action
11 – Human Race
12 – Burn It Up

Kurt Riley – vocals, guitar
David Dillon – guitar
Jason Dzamba – guitar
Aziza Glass – keyboards
Taylor Berryman – bass
Amir Roth – drums
Paige Washington – backing vocals

BUY IT !
www.cdbaby.com/cd/kurtriley13
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