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Kings of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street Audio CD

A fair review of the Kings of Convenience "Riot on an Empty Street" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Kings of Convenience reviews here, or go back to the Kings of Convenience tabs.

Kings of Convenience Band: Kings of Convenience
Title: Riot on an Empty Street
Rating:
Release Date: 2004-07-27
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Homesick 2: Misread 3: Cayman Islands 4: Stay Out of Trouble 5: Know How - Feist, Kings of Convenience 6: Sorry or Please 7: Love Is No Big Truth 8: I'd Rather Dance With You 9: Live Long 10: Surprise Ice 11: Gold in the Air of Summer 12: Build-Up - Feist, Kings of Convenience, Kings of Convenience

A New Folk Classic
Their 1964 album "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" is a landmark recording in the furtherance of popular acceptance of folk. Almost single-handedly, Simon & Garfunkel took the folk music playbook and modified it to create a sound deeply rooted in folk yet immediately accessible to casual radio listeners.

Though the album was not an overnight success, within two years the group would shoot to stardom under the momentum of fans who could not get enough of the airy acoustic guitars and lyrical witticisms. Part of the credit is due to Paul Simon's exceptional songwriting prowess, and part of it is due to the otherworldly harmonizing between Simon and Garfunkel.

Over thirty years later, up and coming acts are still working off the S&G folk modifications, many of them adding their own enhancements and alterations to the mix. Belle & Sebastian are perhaps the most notable of these ardent folk followers, but an oft-overlooked outfit is the duo Kings of Convenience.

Norwegian musicians Erlend Oye and Eirik Glambek Boe, playing together since their mid-teens, formed the band in 1999 and managed to release their debut "Quiet is the New Loud" only two years later. The beauty of KoC songs is in their simplicity. "I Don't Know What I Can Save You From", with it's soothing, hushed vocals that would become trademark, sidles along amiably despite the ominous overtones of the lyrics.

"Toxic Girl" gained the twosome significant attention, featuring both in a wireless advertisement and in the film Shallow Hal. What strikes the listener most about the album is that though there is some scoring to the songs, and scant percussion here and there, the bulk of their work is straight acoustic singer/songwriter stylized folk music.

It is a refreshing sound free from the noisy overproduction and needless instrumental meandering that permeates the sound of many modern indie acts. After a diverging remix album called Versus, Kings of Convenience released sophomore effort "Riot on an Empty Street" in 2004.

With this release Oye and Boe built upon the folk tradition, displaying extensive creative growth and expanding the scope of their sound by leaps and bounds. "I'd Rather Dance With You", unquestionably the poppiest track on the record, excitably bounces along with a danceable beat. It was the second single culled from the record and potentially misleading to newcomers as to the overall characteristics of KoC's sound.

The first single, "Misread", showcases the duo at their absolute zenith. The breezy acoustic guitars and mellifluous vocals are rarely in finer form, and this alluring dynamic is displayed in other tracks such as "Live Long", "Cayman Islands", and "Gold in the Air of Summer. " Leslie Feist, who herself released an album that year, features on two tracks: "Know How" and "The Build-Up".

The folk genre is crowded with acts who attempt to emulate what Kings of Convenience have done, but the honest truth is that Oye and Boe are peerless. Any skepticism to this declaration can be quelled by simply listening to their work - and while "Riot on an Empty Street" is undoubtedly their best work, both of their albums are highly recommended.


Happiness without the Guilt
And before you know it, you're asleep. Riot on an Empty Street by Kings of Convenience is one of those albums that hauntingly seep into your consciousness with simple melodies, deep lyrics and killer transitions. Not because it's a bad CD. On the contrary, it's a great album where songs like Misread captures your attention in the first few notes and takes you away into a sweet harmony of instruments (guitar, piano, etc. . . ) and vocal melodies that is as fresh as a newly picked Zucchini from Alice Water's backyard garden. Also love the I'd Rather Dance with You than Talk with You single--almost a cross between Al Stewart and Damien Rice (after taking a happy pill).

Overall, I love it! You can take Riot on an Empty Street going to and coming from Las Vegas--either way, you feel like a winner, without the guilt.
.


If you don't like this you can't be trusted
Everytime I put this album on around someone they say, "Who is this? It's great!" .


omg!


Love them !!!!. This is such a contagious album! I couldnt stop listening for days! I still listen to it Qam.


Feel like a rest?
Get yourself this album and kick it back on the couch with the top on the lap. The solution is pretty easy. Sippin' on some oj. Life seems 10 times easier when you're listening to this album.

Oozing voices and calm music that give you the philosophical thrill of a lifetime.


You can see a complete list of all Kings of Convenience discography, or go back to the Kings of Convenience tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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