Detachment Kit - Of This Blood

I recently saw Detachment Kit playing a show in New York where they announced that they were given the coveted prize of "Most Overrated Band" for the entire CMJ Music Fest. Funny way to start a show given that their French Kiss release Of This Blood is one of the better albums of the year. Sure, it's been out since May, and we're just now telling you about it, but that's not the point. The point is that the aggression and overall fevered frenzy of this record is not to be missed. Fortunately, the album is tracked out so that it's not simply divided into rock songs during the first half, slower restrained songs in the second half. Just when you're trying to recover from the frantic energy of "Ted The Electric," you hit the sweetest slow song on the album, "Ricochet." But soon enough you're dragged back into the fury with "Vanish or Vanquish." This ebb and flow carries you through the whole disc. A dark tone permeates every track on Of This Blood. This may not be too surprising of a thing to pull off with constant heavy guitar or murderous style vocals, but Detachment Kit is smarter than that. These are pop songs complete with a powerful chorus, subtle instrumentation that doesn't reveal itself completely the first time through, and a desperation in the vocals that is both sincere and serious. It is unfortunate that all my flattery for this album only adds to the possibility that the "Most Overrated" title may be true for you, the individual listener. It's a risk worth taking, though, because after quite a few listens and two intensely dedicated live performances, I feel priviledged to consider myself a fan. [www.detachmentkit.com]