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"Make this the year you get to know Key Note Speaker.
Judging from the sound of its latest release, "The Musical,"
this smart, versatile local band is on its way up."
Pop music/Nightlife
Seattle Times/PI
NWSource.com
11|08|06
Pop Overthrow
Key Note Speaker's Subtle Reinvention
"Key Note Speaker introduced themselves to Seattle's local pop scene in 2005 via Fiction, a pretty
impressive collection of Jack Endino–produced tunes that managed to sound crisp and bright while still
maintaining a sense of depth thanks to a few creative alternative rock and country twists. Fiction's catchy
tunes secured the band's place as a local pop outfit, resulting in Key Note Speaker's appearance on bills
with other indie rock groups such as Young Sportsmen, Some by Sea, and the Pale Pacific.
Now, a year later, it's time for the band to reestablish their relationship with the music community.
Instead of springboarding off their previous pop reputation, Key Note Speaker give us The Musical,
a collection of songs (recorded again with Endino) that step even further away from anything that could
be defined as "power pop" (a term that has unjustly found its way into more than one KNS review).
The Musical's opener, "Overture (On the Prowl)," is a haunting and deeply sung track that may imply a
more Alice in Chains–inspired "grunge" flavor is to follow. But in "Nightly News," the second track, the
band subtly toys with melodies and keyboard, proving there's still some bright spirit at this album's heart.
The Musical continues to wade through darker territory, but that isn't to say there aren't some upbeat
highlights that get the toes a-tappin'. "Please" is almost Smoking Popes–esque, and "The One I Always
Call" is reminiscent of Pedro the Lion circa Winners Never Quit.
They may not be the kings of much in this town, but Key Note Speaker are moving inexorably toward a
throne, albeit a self-created one."
BY MEGAN SELING /The Stranger
thestranger.com
..........................................................................................................................................................................
11|05|06
"For their sophomore release, Seattle band Key Note Speaker chose to pursue the concept album.
A particularly bold endeavor, since in order for a release of this nature to appeal to the masses it must
be able to lead its audience through the narrative without turning the story into melodrama or leave them
feeling as though the songs are destined along some planned lineage to a premeditated outcome.
For the journey that is The Musical, the four members of KNS--Scott Gallagher (vocals, guitar),
Edmund O’Brien (bass), Chris Olson (keys) and Joe Couden (drums)--along with legendary indie producer
Jack Endino, pull it off flawlessly, creating an anthology whose compositions are just as strong
independently as they are as part of the whole. What results is quite possibly one of the most
distinct and intelligent albums of the year.
One of the qualities most immediately apparent in Key Note Speaker’s music is their uncanny ability to
channel the souls of their influences in such a manner that one can actually feel the presence of those
who inspired the piece, while not presenting a blatant rip off. With a diverse background of mentors,
and compositions accentuated by unique individual talents to support this, in coming together
they have created a remarkable “color palette” that can be identified as completely their own.
It is this range that resonates throughout The Musical--quite possibly never has such genuine homage
to Cobain and The Eels, among others, been released previously.
While obviously not wanting to divulge too much of the storyline by offering my own interpretation of it, the
album, presented in two acts, examines the confusion of our modern world, delving into society’s maniacal
tendencies and how the individual responds--exploring personal conflict, vulnerability, desires, hope and
resignation, and ultimately, how it translates outwardly. A premise easy enough to understand, seeing as
numerous artistic works have used these central concepts as their focus. But with The Musical, each song
expounds on the emotion of its predecessor, with the entire production reaching its crescendo in
a scorching cover of Tom Waits’ "Goin’ Out West," whose roaring beat literally sends shivers
down the spine. And while the inclusion of this song is somewhat confusing as part of the overall story,
since it was incorporated as an encore it doesn’t necessarily need to integrate.
In the end, if KNS proves one thing with The Musical it is that they are not a flash in the pan that
will be continually rehashing the same melodies or dragging you along some predictable sing-song
methodology years from now, but rather a band that will continue to challenge their audience.
If there is not already a place for them in your collection I recommend creating one. Without
question, Key Note Speaker possesses the talent to go all the way to the big leagues in this
business and spend a very long time within those ranks."
Sara Huguenard | The Wig
thewigfitsallheads.com