Kaddisfly is one of those bands that should be more popular than they are. All the elements necessary to be successful are there--catchy songs, youthful energy, and a certain freshness--but they've remained in relative obscurity despite solid releases and the backing of Hopeless Records. Along with being on the edge of breaking into the mainstream, the band is on the verge of fulfilling the potential they showed on 2005's Buy Our Intentions and We'll Buy You a Unicorn. Do they fulfill the promise of earlier work and release the masterpiece that many have been quick to call it? Read on.
Set Sail the Prairie is a concept album of sorts--a favorite move of "progressive" artists everywhere. The album is divided into the four seasons as evidenced by the track names and the recently released Four Seasons EP, which served as a teaser for this album. Honestly, the tone and mood seem relatively consistent across the entire piece with little shift between the "seasons," but that doesn't make it a bad album. Kaddisfly combines two genres: pop-punk and prog rock. Their compositions have always been catchy affairs with a fair amount of experimentation, and this is no different. Bouncy melodies are accompanied by interesting, and occasionally, compelling instrumentation making this a rather fun and enjoyable record to listen to.
Unfortunately, while the band does mix genres, they sacrifice one for the sake of the other. In this case, they try too hard to be pleasant, and as a result, the experimentation on the album is very surface level and underdeveloped. Yes, the songs are colored by unique instrumentation and interesting vocals (Christopher Ruff is a very capable singer), but the progression doesn't run very deep. The album is very much a pop-punk album; the songwriting is too often the generic verse-chorus style and the band never stretches themselves too much by branching out. Indeed, there are parts where the band hits the nail on the head by making material both enjoyable and engaging, but for the most part, Kaddisfly plays it too safe and never really gets anywhere new in the process. Set Sail the Prairie is by no means difficult to listen to, but when it's finished, you feel oddly unimpacted and left wondering where the substance was. The experience is similar to trying a new flavor of ice cream; it's sweet and different, but ultimately, the empty calories leave you somewhat unsatisfied and you realize it was just a novelty.
Is this an enjoyable album? Yes. Is it a progression from their last album? Definitely. Will it bring them widespread popularity? Perhaps. Is it a masterpiece? Honestly, no. In the end, Set Sail the Prairie is just a fun album that flirts more with progression than it embraces it. This band has the talent, imagination, and sincerity to release something groundbreaking, but this isn't it. Perhaps next time they return to the studio, they will emerge with something a bit more substantial and truly progressive. I, for one, will be crossing my fingers.
| Reviewer: Austin Quan Added: March 9th 2007 |
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