Until We Felt Red by Kaki King Velour Recordings

Product Description: It would be reaching to equate Kaki King's new direction with Dylan's electric debut at Newport. Yet there's no doubt the New York-by-way-of-Georgia musician has taken a sharp left turn with her third full-length. After two discs composed primarily of acoustic guitar, Everybody Loves You and Legs To Make Us Longer, King has added vocals to her arsenal (something she first experimented with on her last album). It could have been a disastrous move. Fortunately, King, who actually started out as a drummer, hasn't morphed into a standard issue singer/songwriter--just as Dylan didn't abandon his folk roots when he plugged in. Rather, her minimalist musings add texture to the atmospheric, post-rock proceedings. And just as her fret work has been described as "singing," her fragile voice is but one ingredient in the mix, which includes bass, bells, and brushes. On the eight-minute "You Don't Have to be Afraid," for instance, she only sings near the beginning and the end of the track. Most vocalists would surely do the opposite. While previous recordings garnered comparisons to axe-slingers Michael Hedges and Preston Reed, the John McEntire-produced Until We Felt Red more closely resembles the sweetly melodic sounds of Lush or Asobi Seksu. McEntire (The Sea and Cake, Tortoise) also provides drums and "things" (synth, vibes, programming, etc.). Once described by National Public Radio as "The Queen of Acoustic Guitar," Kaki King could use a new slogan. How about "The Queen of Lap-Steel Shoegaze Pop"? --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

5 stars One in a million
Actually, I'm fairly certain there are other great guitar players out there; they just don't have record deals yet. With that said, Kaki is making the music I've waited a long time to hear. Will Ackerman was my first exposure to instrumental guitar. Then Hedges, who was amazing. But Kaki is special, in my opinion. With diversity and maturity in her songwriting, Kaki is easily making the music I've waited so long to hear. I can't play it, but I knew it was out there... somewhere.

3 stars Changes--Ambient Soundscape that King's Long-term Fans May or May Not Enjoy
Kaki King's 3rd album, Until We Felt Red, shows a substantial change from her previous works--instead of playing guitar with extraordinary technique, King has created an ambient soundscape album with the 80s-ish New Wave Rock taste. Featuring her own ennui voice, this self-indulging piece might have expanded King's fan base; meanwhile, her long-term fans may or may not enjoy it. Like any other artists, King needs changes. Possible next may be infusion of King's guitar virtuoso into what she sincerely loves.

3 stars I think I prefer her guitar centric music
Picked this CD up on a sale and I can't say I regret it, but I am not as pleased with this as I am Ms. King's earlier more guitar-based work. This CD has a strong New Age jazz feel, which will appeal to some people, but was not what I was looking for. Ms. King has an interesting breathy ethereal sounding voice which is pleasant and a nice break.

My suggestion is to listen to the selections offered on this CD closely to see if they're what you're interested in. If you want a New Age-eclectic feel, then you will stand a good chance of liking this CD. If you are interested in more instrumental guitar, pick up one of Ms. King's previous CDs.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008

4 stars Not sure if you'll feel red, but chances are you'll like the music
I was listening to a 'new age' internet radio station about a month or so ago, and it had this song called 'Right After Sidewalk' playing. While it didn't exactly sound like new-age, I was extremely pleased with the music. It was an instrumental with guitar. That's when I discovered Kaki King. This album doesn't feature the song I mentioned earlier (that was part of her first album titled 'Everybody Loves You'), but it's still mostly guitar solos with Kaki using her voice in some of the songs. The songs are very relaxing and soothing, and Kaki's voice adds an ethereal feeling to the songs. She is an extremely talented guitarist and quite a good vocalist too. I'm sure she is destined for even bigger successes. Oh, and did I say that the cover art is brilliant?

4 stars Wonderful alternative acoustic guitar sound...
The woman behind the guitar sound from the movie, August Rush, Kaki King is gifted and terrifically entertaining. Makes this keyboardist want to learn to play guitar...

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