KIWA - On The Frequency (Exogenic 2007)

[makematic]

Reviewed by Damion Psyreviews

 

 

The standard psyreviews moans about progressive music are that it’s dull, that it’s one-handed melodies, that it’s generic and derivative. Every single one of those moans vanishes in a puff of nag champa smoke when confronted with this utterly lovable album.

 

On The Frequency has more to do with Rick James than Frank Beckers. It has echoes of psychedelic pre-disco, those early US parties that unwittingly foresaw rave where people used to take acid and dance to something that wasn’t The Grateful Dead.

 

The basslines are all, without exception, crafted to conspire to make you shake what I believe is commonly referred to as one’s “arse.” While this happens, intricate microsounds and unexpected changes keep your brain interested.

 

Kiwa fire things up wonderfully: Morphed isn’t just perfectly-pitched progressive music, and it’s not just seriously good fun. The way it unfolds and maintains its energy somehow puts me in mind of vintage Cosmosis. The title track has all the hallmarks of Tribogal Vision standard prog, devastatingly-well executed; while Time Bomb sees them get dirtier, and all the better for it.

 

My chief point about this album is that it sticks two fingers up in the face of what I’d be inclined to call ‘popular progressive’ (think Behind Blue Eyes / Liquid Soul, that sort of thing). The bulk of progressive music is boring, pretentious, self-important stuff and the way Kiwa respond to this by creating something of this calibre is to be admired.

 

One of the most important elements of this scene has always been the idea that if you don’t like the way somebody does something – music, parties, décor, or whatever – then get out there and do it better. Top marks to Kiwa for doing just that at such an important time in music.

 

:posford:

 

www.kiwa.fi

www.myspace.com/kiwamusic

www.exogenic.com

 

original link

[RAH]

wow, you didn't even mention Syndrome nor Hertz so good and what about Way back!? which to me where the better ones of the album, but the whole thing is very well executed. Nice to see such a high production level and the music is wonderful. Unfortunately it does not stand the test of time to well... and in retrospect it would have been nice to see a little more variation of the elements on each track, which seem to repeat over and over with slight tweaks, albeit the same thing in the end. Overall though... this stuff is worth getting and they did blend the post-soumi, commercial sound well enough to make it work, so kudos.

[yerg]

Excellent album. Every track has a very groovy atmosphere.

 

From the very beginning Kiwa gives the right beat to start dancing. :posford:

[buzzman]

Yeah i instantly fell in love with the music here... But after a while listening, im getting rather tired of the sound... Can't put my finger on why... Hmm, So its not a grower then

[yohankiwi]

I absolutely love the in your face, punkish sounding songs on this album (access, up in smoke, fire escape (!!!), hertz so good and timebomb), they are all fantastic, with a nice original sound and will absolutely destroy any dancefloor they get played on. Access also has a nice vibe to it. Unfortunately, for me, the rest of the album doesn't even come close to matching up to these tracks, so it's only gets a 7/10 for me.

 

But still worth buying for the above mentioned tracks IMO

[skyclan]

OUTSTANDING DYNAMICS FROM THE GODS KIWA!!! A BREAKHOUSE FANTASY...RENNIE PELGRIM, FINE CUT BODIES, HYPER, GENERAL MIDI TAKE NOTE!!!

[Sawfly]

Excellent album. Every track has a very groovy atmosphere.

+1

 

The mood is perfect for hour long bus rides through the city at summer nights