To: Dave
Love: Adam
Date Sent: 2/18/2019
Rainbow Kitten Surprise – Rainbow Kitten Surprise (Self-titled)
Release Date: April 25th, 2015
OK, so after much back & forth, I decided I would send you an RKS album in hopes of convincing you to join us in Raleigh for their show at Red Hat on 4/27. Through listening to their 3 albums, this one stands out for multiple reasons. First, it is honestly their best album front-to-back. Secondly, this was released close to the time I first saw them live at The Pour House and it was an incredible show even though I’d hardly given them a listen and knew almost no words to any songs. Lastly, you’ll recognize this album art because 2 of the 3 RKS songs on ADAMANIACS (*brother playlist*) are both from this album (Lady Lie & Cocaine Jesus), perhaps already setting the stage for which songs to pay more (or less) attention to.
Quick background on the band: They are a group of friends from Boone, NC who all met freshman year at App State and their music is inspired by the folk legacy and live music scene in the western part of the state. Their lead singer is gay, but did not come out until after this album was released and before their most recent. He actually wrote the chorus to their newest single Hide and had a self-realization that he was hiding a part of his identity within. At the time I first saw them play, not one of the 5 bandmates looked like they belonged on stage wielding an instrument, but by the time of their 2nd performance (The Ritz), they each had graduated into seasoned performers who make sweet, sweet music. They recently shared some insight on their writing process in a live YouTube performance and apparently the lead singer plays around with a lot of words and gets to a general idea of what the song is about and then the band tries to fit his lyrics into a certain sound.
So, this album is what I believe to be their best because it tells a story and has a similar tendency of making all the songs sound somewhat different, relating back to your comment on The Smiths. It is also important to know that when I really took a liking to them, only their first 2 albums were in existence and this one is far superior if you look at the 2 albums. Furthermore, there is a song on this album called Goodnight Chicago, which was something that has stuck with me since the show at The Pour House. This song is best played LOUD, as if you were hearing it live. I’ll do you a favor and let you know that I sometimes struggle to get through the song Bare Bones, but it’s moreso just not what I am wanting at the juncture of the album than actually being a bad song. Songs will (hopefully) hit you at different times, as Counting Cards has recently done to me–it took a few listens, but that song has come into its own recently. I personally could make a case for any song on this album, but I’ll limit myself to 3 top favorites: Lady Lie, Cocaine Jesus, & The Comedown. Enjoy!!
Dave’s Reaction:
Adam, I am so sorry that I do not like RKS. I tried. I listened through twice. I wanted to like them. For you. For us. The songs that come up on ADAMANIACS have left a positive impression on me through sheer repetition, but I never found myself loving the album. I do not enjoy his voice, I do not like green eggs and ham, but I do like their backstory and all of the history that you shared about the band! Boone, NC!! To me, the songs just seemed to be set up very similar, at least on this album, where I kept waiting for a rock out, but it never came! I am sure they are better live and this may go back to our discussion on certain bands meaning more to people based on their emotional connection. Or whatever. Again, I apologize. This one hurts, I can feel it.
The Favorites:
Adam: Lady Lie
Dave: Cocaine Jesus