The Colours of Kings

Archive for the ‘Review’ Category

Up EP Review in Hip Rock Magazine

Louisville, KY brings us this Indie synth group. Really, I’m reminded of groups like The 1975, The Wombats, California Wives and even a touch of bluegrass style. Seriously! I don’t agree that they’re a lot like Owl City or Death Cab for Cutie in song style but I could see them being a group that will have a cult following of similar sort.

“Up” provides four tracks that are really worth listening to if you like these styles. While each song has a heavier emphasis on the electronic sound the vocalist has a very good voice and I am inspired to continue to listen. The lyrics are less like most you hear but still aren’t alien. I do get swept away in the arrangements and this is definitely something I’ll listen to many more times. For this touch of magic that could sway in either direction I found myself enjoying them at near an 8 on the volume knob!

Daniel C. Morrison – Hip Rock Magazine

Read the review on Hip Rock Magazine here.

Awesome Review of Our “Up EP” from Songs That Should Be Mainstream

“Taking on the persona of ‘music’s new Tom Sawyer’, indie punk band The Colours of Kings are ruling the charts with their debut EP released this September, Up.”

Here’s an awesome review of our new “Up EP” from Songs That Should Be Mainstream!

“Producing an authentic feel throughout each track, Up encapsulates the band’s love for Traveling, roaming, eating, drinking, reading, and reflects it through a genuine approach to their music. Having written the EP in amongst small pubs and alleyways within their hometown, and produced the tracks within in-house basement studios, one cannot help but fall for the rustic appeal that The Colours of Kings exuberates.

Influenced by bands such as The Talking Heads, MGMT, Radiohead, The Postal Service and Mates of State, The Colours of Kings derive their music from a vast array of different musical sub-genres. Within the band’s four-track EP, the band dabbles with their stylistic approach from song-to-song, whilst still maintaining an integral unique approach throughout. This experimentation within debut releases is understandable, if not expected for upcoming bands that are beginning to find their feet within the industry. Genre blending, in this sense, is an opportunistic means for a band such as The Colours of Kings to diversify and expand their musical horizons in the early stages of development. 

Up’s first track, “My Heart is a Drum Machine”, begins with a celestial orchestral piece, that slowly emerges into an upbeat drum track, setting up the band’s indie approach to their music. With each member of the trio a multi-instrumentalist (J. Bishop on guitar/keyboard/vocals, C. Steward on bass/keyboard/vocals and G. Chamberlain on drums/programming/vocals), the instrumentalist work by all three members is impressive to say the least. Despite the high workload, the band makes their songs seem effortless. Wistful vocals and a soft mixture of complementing instrumental pieces lend weight to a serene atmosphere surrounding their music.”

Read the full review here.

“My Heart is a Drum Machine” Review from The Indie Place

“It is always a treat to come across a band that obviously puts a lot of thought into their music. Such is the case with up and coming band The Colours of Kings. Forming over drinks in a pub, the trio quickly put their ideas into action and began recording their debut EP in a basement studio. Consisting of members J. Bishop (vocals/guitars/keyboards), Chad Steward (bass/keyboards/vocals), and Graham Chamberlain (drums/programming/vocals), they are ready to introduce the world to their music with their first single “My Heart is a Drum Machine”.

“My Heart is a Drum Machine” begins with a simple but prominent drumbeat and synths which continue, unfaltering, throughout the track. Including a little electric guitar in the bridge, this forms the entire instrumentality of the song, bringing to it a natural and magical feeling. The band counts Radiohead and The Postal Service among their influences, and it is evident that those bands had a particular impact on this song’s sound. The track’s lyrics and melody, however, are more reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie or Owl City. Yet, this electro-rock song still manages to maintain its uniqueness. That uniqueness is found in the lightness of the lyrical content and the vocal subtleties of singer J. Bishop. At its core, “My Heart is a Drum Machine” is about finding one’s other half, the person that makes them a better version of themselves, and celebrating that. The Colours of Kings brings those feelings to life with every note they play, making this song truly infectious.

“My Heart is a Drum Machine” is a strong introduction from The Colours of Kings that showcases their individuality while still providing a nod to the music that has inspired them. This song displays the band’s potential and it will be fascinating to hear what they’ve created for their new EP ‘Up’. The Colours of Kings still have a lot to prove, but, as this song has demonstrated, it’s a challenge they are more than ready for.

‘Up’ will be released on September 24th. You can preorder the album now on bandcamp and receive a free download of “My Heart is a Drum Machine”.”

– Elizabeth Tolbert , September 27, 2013 on The Indie Place