|
 (Sony)
Kenny’s Jekyll and Hyde musical personality disappears
Once Birds Of Tokyo lived in the shadow of Karnivool, but since BOT put out Universes last year and captured the hearts of Triple J listeners across the country that has changed. Serving as their first studio album since ostensibly being overtaken by vocalist Ian Kenny’s side-project turned major success, Sound Awake initially sounds a little jealous of it’s more commercially viable cousin. Karnivool have always maintained a heavier, more progressive edge than Birds Of Tokyo, but on tracks like New Day, When The Medicine Wears Off and Umbra, the edge largely disappears as Ian Kenny’s distinct vocal style soars over a flurry of softly plucked guitar chords and minimalist drumming that could have just as easily been found on Universes or Day One. But for all the evident similarities, Sound Awake still retains a Karnivool attitude on tracks like lead single Set Fire To The Hive, where progressive rhythms and strong guitar tones equate to an all-out ballsy rock feel unutilised by Birds Of Tokyo. Further, tracks like the steel drum-introduced Caudal Lure retain a very Tool style of syncopated riffage that sounds to be directly carried over from the Themata album. This album is likely to spark debate about the largely symbolic divide between Birds Of Tokyo and Karnivool, but it’s highly unlikely that this will see the quality of Sound Awake called into question. In the end, fans of Ian Kenny, either for his work in Karnivool or Birds Of Tokyo, are likely to really enjoy Sound Awake.
***
TOM HERSEY
1. Written by Tom, on 02-06-2009 18:01
The songs sound nothing like anything Birds of Tokyo would put out. Birds of Tokyo are undeniably pop, while this is hard rock, and its softer songs are still far far too progressive to appeal to a more mainstream audience. |
2. Written by billy, on 02-06-2009 19:40
what Tom said. BoT are just a pop rock band, a very good one, but just a pop band. Karnivool is so much more, time sigs, guitars, drums, everything is much more technical and progressive compared to BoT. |
3. Written by Pat, on 03-06-2009 18:10
Completely agree with the other two commenters. I have to say, with all due respect, I think this reads more as an effort to compare the two bands, than as a good review on its own.
The \"minimalist\" drumming on Umbra sounds nothing like Day One or Universes. It does remind me of things like The Flashbulb though.
Also, the guitar sound from SFTTH sounds nothing like BOT either - the \"bee\" riff, or the rattle snake drum motiff from Caudal Lure are great examples of some slightly more subtle things that the band is doing. Which you do need to listen to a few times to really get. Not saying it\'s perfect, but it\'s much less about chunky riffs and stark contrast than Themata.
I suppose it\'s bound to happen though, given it\'s the same singer in two different bands, but to me the comparisons aren\'t warranted.
Lastly though, you\'re never going to see a band like Birdies do a 12 minute track. Most of the songs on Sound Awake are fairly lengthy. |
4. Written by dean, on 03-06-2009 19:57
your trying to make out Kenny is two differnt singers, ofcourse there will be some similarities in his vocals cause he's the same f**kin singer |
5. Written by Will, on 03-06-2009 22:11
I don't like Birds of Tokyo, but I like all of Sound Awake. So no, it doesn't sound like anything BoT have released. |
6. Written by Mike, on 04-06-2009 19:06
Dude are you kidding me? The way you talk about BOT and Karnivool is that they are competing against each other. the reality is they are not even in the same league. Karnivool's music completely overshadows any of BOT pop rock songs. Karnivool is the best and most promising prog rock band in the Southern Hemphisphere. To suggest that New Day and umbra sound like BOT is a foolish comparison. The tracks Simple Boy and Change (pt 2) clearly demonstrate that Karnivool's sound is like no-one else! |
7. Written by Nick, on 06-06-2009 00:16
Fail. Poor review. Even though he said he liked it, it was rubbish. How do you compare bands? Im still unsure how "Caudal Lure" and Tool can even be remotley compared....apart from "Caudal Lure" is from a band, and Tool are a band. This person maybe should have listened to the record maybe more than once.......and possibly some Tool while they are at it. |
8. Written by Niz, on 07-06-2009 19:39
I fail to see the need to compare the two! seriously! What are you thinkin! I think its a positive step forward... Exceeded my long awaited expectations thats fo sure, we all know how high the themata bar was set! As for "Tool Style" Its obviously an influence, but its still got 90% of "vool style" that has it standing tall. Lovin it! |
9. Written by CJ, on 08-06-2009 02:35
Karnivool is a prog band and is better to be compared to Tool then BoT. |
10. Written by will, on 08-06-2009 12:39
worst review ever.. 'minimalist drumming', disgraceful comment. BOT doesn't even enter the mind when listening to sound awake, they are completely different beasts. I think you need to actually listen to the album before you write a review. |
11. Written by Jeremy, on 08-06-2009 16:46
This is an absolutely terrible review, I hope you don't get paid to write rubbish like this...
Sound Awake is an absolutely phenomenal album; easily one of the best to come out of this country for a long time, and to dominate a 'review' comparing them to another band is just a joke.
Get a new job/hobby. |
12. Written by Composer, on 09-06-2009 05:12
i hate reviewers that don't understand music. Sound Awake is on a completely different level than BOT. Sound Awake has godly structure. It's not all pop ABABABBB crap. It is comparable to Tool though structurally and rhymically(which is a major compliment). |
13. Written by Dave, on 09-06-2009 12:36
I think Pat says it best - the idea was to review Sound Awake and that hasn't been done. Nor is the fundamental tenet of reviewing obvious - that of trying to be objective. What the review suggests to me is that the reviewer prefers Birds to Karnivool which is strong grounds to question his objectivity. |
14. Written by KJ, on 09-06-2009 12:47
Did the reviewer consider that the rather than Karnivool clinging to Birds' coat tails, the reverse is true - the popularity of Birds is due to Karnivool influences - it's just they are not as good musically or lyrically. And the comment on drumming shows a distinct lack of understanding or appreciation of what makes a truly outstanding drummer the capacity that Steve Judd has to be so clinically pure, so inventive, provide the essential pulse and yet dominate proceedings. I think it's a very poor review. |
15. Written by Dan, on 09-06-2009 17:49
BOT are an average band with an exceptional singer. They would not be getting the kudos if not for Kenny being in them - much like A Perfect Circle with Keenan.
Karnivool are an exceptional band with an exceptional singer. |
16. Written by Stocky, on 09-06-2009 22:29
I appreciate Ian Kenny for his work with both Vool and Birds however their styles target completely different audiences so it's like comparing apples to oranges (terrible analogy!)
Also the drumming in Sound Awake is the best I've heard for some time.
I need a few more listens but it's growing on me! |
17. Written by Jodes, on 10-06-2009 16:16
The album is disappointing. The songs are good but somethign is lacking..maybe the passion and soul. The vocalist sings as if his balls were strewn by barbed wire. A rip off of Tool and The Mars Volta. Uninsipired drivel. 2 outof 5. |
18. Written by Mrslunk, on 11-06-2009 03:10
Extremely poor review.
Sure, same singer.
Thats where the similarities, and any comparision should have, ends.
This review does nothing to highlight the sonic mass this album has, nor the reasons why it will obviously not be appreciate by people who aren't open to this sort of music.
It's definately not Themata mk2.
In my opinion, there is so much complexity and sonic depth in this that the sole thing that holds it together is Kenny's exceptional vocals. And that, my freinds, is an amazing thing.
So far i think it's a par above Cog's "The New Normal". In my books, thats saying something.
Sound Awake: 5/5
Rave's reveiw: 1/5 |
19. Written by RoGaN, on 12-06-2009 10:50
Tom, your review of Karnivool-sound awake has me doubting not only your credibility as a mediocre free press music journalist, but also makes it hard to believe you actually listened to the album. Your ‘review’ seems to be plucked from a bad online forum run by twittering tweens with as much appreciation for music as Lady Gaga had when she wrote poker face. In reality the only similarity between Birds Of Tokyo and Karnivool is their shared lead vocalist, and if not for this misdemeanour the two would never be compared. To claim works of propulsive, prog-rock genius found in songs like New Day and When The Medicine Wears Off, could be found on Universes alongside insipid singles like Silhouettic or Broken Bones is both uneducated and embarrassing. Not to assert that Birds are an inferior band, they have successfully achieved in exactly what there music is designed to do…sell. But the appeal towards a catchy melody and poppy bass line is not to be confused with the appreciation of the raw and unique talent that is present in each and every calculated minute of a Karnivool masterpiece. To refer to refer to Umbra as “flurry of softly plucked guitar cords and minimalist drumming” says more about your limited musical understanding than it does to critically analyse the band. Karnivools inimitable melodic progression and complex time signatures are far from the work of a “less ballsy BOT”. The only shadow music like Karnivool’s will ever fall under, is the shadow of un-appreciation, fed by the generations of image driven and auto-tuned monotony that is the current music scene. Retrospective of the ignorant, tone deaf and pop cultured eardrums such accomplished musicianship is wasted on. Your 2 dimensional view of music completely ignores the intricate and densely layered instrumentation that separates the genres and it’s opinions like this that have me fearing for the future of Australian music. |
20. Written by JP, on 12-06-2009 11:15
Karnivool should no longer be considered progressive... |
21. Written by cheesinballs, on 12-06-2009 11:16
I back 'Rogan' 100%!
Listen to how brilliant these songs are structured. Im a fan of 'Goliath' & 'Deadman' in particular. They explore every musical element to offer! Have another listen dude, you might come around.
p.s. You mentioned Birds Of Tokyo six times in your review on a Karnivool album... |
22. Written by Shuff, on 12-06-2009 17:49
I don't actually like this album much (couple of good songs), -Loved Themata, -and I knew they wouldn't beat it. -Rogan, you're the man!! you put that perfectly, Music is dying, Particuly in this country, There's no stopping this commercialised train, ...it seems triple j are heading that way too, using such terms as "wanky guitar solo's" -which i hear every time they reluctantly play a song off Metallica's "Death Magnetic". May just be me but it seems (call me sexist) back in the golden days of the 80's/90's, the boys decided what was cool, since bout 2000, the ladies seem to have taken the reins? -i dont know, -maybe thats why there's so many homosexual tweens these days?  |
23. Written by Rogan, on 13-06-2009 18:17
shuff...i will call you sexist...i am a girl...and it doesnt take a dick to create or appreciate good music |
24. Written by dave, on 14-06-2009 15:13
Good on you Rogan - first for the thoughtful response above re Sound Awake and the review, and secondly for the reply to Shuff. Loved it. |
25. Written by Chasey, on 16-06-2009 22:10
You need your head read. You uneducated, misinformed, non-musical twit.
Disappointed. |
26. Written by Carl, on 20-06-2009 14:30
Well, fwiw I think Karnivool definitely come of as Tool fanboys. Maybe that's a good thing, to make it obvious like that, homage to your heroes kinda thing...but I dunno, it comes off as kind of unoriginal to me. I think there are moments in Karnivools work which comes as particularly Karnivool-esque (the fast fret taps of Goliath/Themata for eg), for me it would be more interesting to hear more of this path or track of things fleshed out. I guess they also occupy a kind of 'session' feel too at times. But on this album it's dreadful to hear direct rips from tracks like Schism (All I Know). With Wings for Marie references at the end of Deadman, and at one point Kenny uttering "ya musta been.." as if lifted straight from The Pot. In particular a strong influence from Jakob (one of the most under-rated bands imo) is evident on this release in the delayed guitars. Don't get me wrong: who could fault the technical execution of the tracks, and the work ethic and success the group is achieving - something no-one here could doubt or neglect. But in the end, whilst Kennys vocal technique is surely of a high standard, the subject matter and lyric content come off as mediocre and adolescent. Karnivool fanboys will obviously try and deflect comparisons to BOT, but try hide as you might the similarities are hard to deny - in part due to Kenny's decision to retain a stylistically similar vocal approach to both bands. And this is the condition of almost the whole of this burgeoning Australian Hard Rock scene, this weird kind of fusion of Incubus, with hints of a whingeing, disparate Nickelback-like lamentation that pull the whole thing over into the commercial sphere. And this is where the perceptions of Karnivool as some kind of underground or non-commerical entity ultimately fall down. They are a Triple M band. You buy there Cd\\\'s at Sanity. Ultimately the whole debacle is riding off the back of the success of Cog, Australia\\\'s first great excuse for a heavy band since never. And that\\\'s a funny mentality here - we\\\'re always looking for
\\\"Australia\\\'s answer to Tool\\\", and unfortunately that\\\'s what everyone winds up doing. But that\\\'s not the way out - you want a music that represents Australia, and yet the whole thing is based on overseas bands. And so ultimately national definitions don\\\'t really stand up anymore. It takes a slip through the cracks to really change things, you\\\'ve got to spy the whole in all this mess to really deliver the music that will cut through the shit... For me, Unfortunately, this doesn\\\'t happen with Karnivool - as much as I would hope it would. Maybe people want an answer to Tool because everyone\\\'s benchmark is Aenema or Lateralus, but that that should have been the lesson of the latter album - lateral thinking. And who could stop a musicians passion for certain bands and the want to create and follow in those footsteps - I just can\'t help thinking the best approach is to go sideways rather than climbing the vertical. |
27. Written by Dave, on 20-06-2009 23:10
What are you trying to say Carl? I don't get the message. Too may words and different themes. Say it 20 words or less or stop trying |
28. Written by G-Bone, on 23-06-2009 08:11
I can't believe someone would even put Birds Of Tokyo in the same breathe as Karnivool when it comes to sonics and sound. While BOT are a great band in their own right, Karnivool go to a whole new level within the complexities of their arrangements and the talent of each individual member. BOT sound like a solid but regular band while The Vool sound like a heavy progressive orchestra where each member stands up to be counted and shine doing so. I hear very little between the two bands regardless of the fact they are fronted by I.Kenny. Tom, you sound like you have had brief moments with both BOT and Karnivool but to say Kenny's style on Sound Awake has now bridge the divide between them is not a point I agree with. |
29. Written by G-Bone, on 23-06-2009 08:55
First the most part I agree with you Carl but more to a lesser extent. I think you write an entertaining post regardless. There is undeniable similarities between Tool and Karnivool on Sound Awake, enough for someone to justify criticism, although I love this album and the band enough to know they ride on their own merits. A Triple M band? I think not and to justify this partially because the album is available at Sanity is a bit of a weak statement. It's a music outlet, as mainstream and safe as one can be, it still doesn't have barring on the content of this record, just that Karnivool have been more successful at reaching to people than virtually any other quality heavy rock act at the moment in Oz. The fact it is not found ONLY in Utopia or Red Eye records doesn't automatically make Karnivool any less potent or impressive. Naturally, their popularity has automatically generated critics purely on that fact alone. That in itself is a mediocre and adolescent, something underground "youth" have subscribed to for decades as soon as their favourite unknown band becomes known. However, your review of the Australian hard rock scene is pretty smack on and the striving to sound like an overseas bands rings true, but can that really be avoidable considering virtually everything that can be done with a band has already been done? On the note of Tool, as great a band as they are, I can't say I have enjoyed any of their albums since Aenema as much as I have both Thamata or Sound Awake. Maybe I'm just sonically immature?! In the end, who cares if I enjoy it, all good to me and others who get a blast from listening to Karnivool. Trying to justify why anyone shouldn't sounds like The Grinch has come to town. |
30. Written by Karate kid - hiiiYa, on 26-06-2009 12:11
dude, 'Rogan', you said it!
I felt instant shock reading Tom's review on Sound Awake! Good to see from the response on this site that there are people who can appreciate what's on this album! I feel so much more at ease  |
31. Written by Poimandres, on 30-06-2009 14:28
I think this album is utterly fantastic.
I like it a whole lot more than Themata, and it is utterly incomparable to BOT.
The Tool comparisons are justifiable, but for my money this album has far more "life" than 10,000 Days and is just an all round better album.
Hell, Karnivool may very well be my favourite band in the world at the moment.
I don't say these things lightly, and I'm no fanboy- but I doubt anything will top this as my album of the year |
32. Written by bootha, on 30-06-2009 18:02
spot on carl...i dont know how many times i have been to cog shows or talked about cog to some one and they have brought up karnivool...and for the life of me i dont know why...this album has Tool/Mars Volta DNA all the way through it...disagree?...well just listen to change and try and tell me that the first couple of minutes dont sound a bit like Third Eye...all that was missing was a bill hicks sample...even the wailing guitar is evident...unoriginal, uninspired drivel... |
33. Written by Bejado, on 03-07-2009 11:44
TOM HERSEY IS ON PCP |
34. Written by Wonko, on 04-07-2009 11:03
This album is amazing. Karnivool cannot be compared to BOT. You are better off comparing them to COG and Tool.
Their music and lyrics are extremely complex. Reviewer... can you even tell us the underlying tone most of the album follows?
Listen carefully, read the lyrics and think. Once you understand, write a new review. |
35. Written by Jack, on 21-07-2009 14:18
The fact that New Day was already made and played by Karnivool before Birds of tokyo even released an album makes that a terrible comparison. |
36. Written by Nigel, on 24-07-2009 22:37
Firstly I am a huge Karnivool fan, I am sooo disappointed by this album and I think Tom is too... We want some beef and all we are getting is watered down celery soup!! The vox are so lacking.. I think most of the instrumentation is great, but it is weakened by Kenny's uninspiring vocals!! I heard some influences coming through like Porcupine tree and Meshuggah but only a small original amount of content.. I'm still a huge fan, but I won't listen to much of SoundAwake. I can see where Tom is coming from and i'm glad he has got us talking.. Kudos+5 Tom |
37. Written by Aidan, on 27-07-2009 08:45
Well put Nigel. I, and a lot of my friends feel exactly the same way about this album. I think Set Fire to the Hive is a great song, but the rest of the album lacks soul. It sounds too over-thought and over-produced. |
38. Written by Ash, on 27-08-2009 19:56
Respectfully disagree with Nigel, Aidan and Tom. This album has much more soul, direction, and showcase of musicianship than Themata.
I also don't appreciate the constant comparisons with Birds of Tokyo. The two are very different bands. When a Tool album comes out, does everyone rush to comparing it to the last APC release? Very poor review. |
39. Written by Jordan, on 10-10-2009 15:00
firstly, i dont think we can emphasize it enough, tom your review was more than insulting to true fans of karnivool. To merely think that steve Judd\'s drumming is minimal, shows your minimal knowledge not only of duration but drummers in general. I dare you to listen to Umbra again and tell me its simple. come on.
also i can see that people hear hints of tool in karnivool\'s songs and i understand that, but to say there music is uninventive ect. is rediculous. karnivool are no doubt one of the most original bands coming from australia, listen to deadmanand tell me thats not original.
finally, Rogan, no body could have put that in better words you are spot on. i myself have many debates with a friend because he thinks that BOT are alot more complex compared to karnivool, using broken bones as his supporting evidence, he also thinks that Ian kanney enjoys being in BOT more than karnivool.
ha.
he wishes |
40. Written by Ricky T, on 25-01-2010 19:40
I have to admit that I only started listening to Karnivool after becoming a Birds of Tokyo fan. It was a natural progression for me from listening to commercial radio, then to Triple J. So of course I was drawn to the pop-rock BoT first.
But now I have to say that I love Karnivool even more than BoT! But I'll always support both bands when they're touring in my town. |
41. Written by Rtfb, on 02-11-2010 22:41
Firstly, Rediculous review, enough has been said here.
Rogan, I can't praise your thoughtful post enough! You should be writing these reviews. |
|
| Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged. |
|
Comments (41)
