There is something very happy and playful about a bunch of colorful kites flying about in the air – unless you are looking at the cover art for the Kyle Mann Combo’s new CD, Goodbye Kites. The mood of the kites on this grassy hilled cover is corrupted by a mangled and left-for-dead kite that is stuck in a lifeless and bare tree.
Although the tone of the lyrics are mostly pessimistic, they are also sarcastically funny as well. Combine these darkly humorous lyrics with upbeat, creative, energetic, jazzy, and downright intimate music, and you have the Kyle Mann Combo.
This local trio have carved their own sound out of many influences. This influence of assorted styles is apparent in the expertly blended musical feats done with a host of various instruments that work well at evoking mystical atmosphere.
Some of the instruments this band uses are: stand-up bass, percussion, piano, keys, glockenspiel, xylophone, and guitar. They use these diverse instruments well, culminating in distinct songs that pull from jazz, western, rock, pop, waltzes, ballads, and even Latin roots and styles.
While every track on this CD is noteworthy, the opening song, “Trails,” deserves a special mention. For comparison’s sake, Kyle Mann’s voice is close to the lead singer of Green Day, except Mann’s pipes are a bit raspier.
Beautiful piano work mingles with the stand-up bass that sounds so soft, it’s almost like a violin playing. The harmonies are well thought out and not overdone. This song is definitely a keeper.
Also, the song “America, the Real,” made me feel like I was at a friend’s yard sale in the summer if it were the 1970s, pink flamingo cocktails and all. This song points a humanitarian finger at selfish commerce and capitalism, but unless you are paying attention to the lyrics, you might think it just a harmless and fun ditty.
These boys are able to pull off both a consonant and dissonant sound and feel, while creating a unique and fun sound on this well-composed, thinking (wo)man’s CD.