KILL FOR EDEN – Petty Crimes (2017)
Some time ago we featured on this blog the debut from KILL FOR EDEN, and after a couple of EP’s the group are releasing their second full length CD titled “Petty Crimes“. Based in London, but with a distinctly international flavour (two Brits, an Australian and a drummer from Siberia), Kill For Eden have been making high-octane heavy rock together since 2011.
While that was very solid debut album, “Petty Crimes” is a huge step further in terms of songwriting, and especially the excellent production sound.
Kill For Eden is female singer Lyla D’Souza – a seasoned professional hailing from Australia – Londoner Dave Garfield Brown (veteran guitarist who has toured alongside acts from Joe Cocker to Rammstein) bassist Mike McGuiness and Russian born drummer Wally Miroshnikov.
Built on massive melodies and huge hooks coupled with charismatic choruses, Kill For Eden’s energetic style blends hard rockin’ groove with the rock&pop sensibility of Blondie. Chuck-in a rocking Pat Benatar side and you have the recipe.
After the boisterous yet poppy opener ‘Burn Out’, there’s a crash of guitar and soaring harmonies in the attention-grabber ‘Woke Up Alone’, a lively lure which soon settles into a calm moment of melodic strumming alongside D’Souza’s magnetic voice.
A poppy melody drives the bouncy ‘Army Of Ants’, and if you were looking for an ’80 radio friendly tune then ‘Love You So’ will keep you dancing for a while.
‘Give Into Me’ is one of the most elaborated songs on the album, with varied guitars riffs panned all over in the mix – great production – steady drumming and some powerhouse vocals by D’Souza.
Then they switch again to rock&pop on ‘Pay The Piper’ where the guitars have a slightly bluesy feel but the heart of the song is a pure pop melody.
As you see, Kille For Eden are a quite eclectic band, and this work wonders.
If you need more variation, ‘Toe The Line’ sees the band moving into a hard rockin’, metallic territory with crunching riffs and impassioned classic rock lead vocals. Great guitar solo here courtesy of Dave Colwell (Bad Company).
Also in bluesy hard style we have ‘Halley’s Comet’ featuring the guest appearance of Doogie White (La Paz, Michael Schenker) in a vocal duet plenty of style where D’Souza shine as well.
‘Brave New World’ is the (semi) ballad including acoustics and soulful vocals, then for the end Kill For Eden delivers a cover of the very good Republica little hit ‘Ready To Go’ done with attitude.
Kill For Eden is one of the best female-fronted acts from the current UK scene, mixing rocking songs with ’80s inspired rock&pop melodies. Their new album “Petty Crimes” is a self-managed effort, but let me tell you this doesn’t sounds indie at all.
While their debut CD was pretty raw in terms of sound, this new record results very polished but energetic with layers of crunching guitars all over, cleverly mixed (you need to listen to it with headphones) by mastermind Dave Garfield Bown who has produced the whole thing with crisp results.
Not many paid attention to Kill For Eden’s previous album, perhaps it’s time for you to check this vital album, one that easily could give the band the breakthrough they deserve.
Very Recommended
01 – Burn Out
02 – Woke Up Alone
03 – Army of Ants
04 – Love You So
05 – Give in to Me
06 – Pay the Piper
07 – Toe the Line
08 – Halley’s Comet (feat. Doogie White)
09 – Sticks Man
10 – Brave New World
11 – Ocean Breeze
12 – Ready to Go
Lyla D’Souza – Vocals
Dave Garfield Bown – Guitar
Mike McGuinness – Bass
Wally Miroshnikov – Drums
Rob Taggart – Keyboards
Doogie White – Vocals on ‘Halley’s Comet’
Dave Colwell (Bad Company) – Guitar solo on ‘Toe The Line’
BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/petty-crimes/id1224756560
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