Have you ever known the pleasure of a good tip? You know that warm glow that you get when you realise that someone steered you right? It might be a hot tip on a “sure thing” at 20 to 1 or big money for good service; it could even be just good advice from a friend. Well I got a tip from a regular reader, suggesting I check out an L.A./Montana based band called Korben. And so I did.
Korben’s sound is what you would expect if the Cranberries had married the Foo Fighters and had children. Chad’s guitar heavy rock riffs coupled with Erin’s smooth, Sarah Mclachlan-esque, folk-chick-singing-rock vocals — with a hint of an Irish lilt — combine to create a uniquely familiar sound that is both energising and comfortable. Korben’s angst-ridden, poignant and frequently ironic lyrics are a big contributor to that “something special” that Korben have in overflowing abundance.
Korben remind me of a band I loved in college. They practised in their basement flat just off the college campus and had that small-town-kid-pushed-to-far chip on their shoulder. They understood what sarcasm and irony were and I mean the really understood it; not just the definition but they could apply it with deadly accuracy – like the British. They were the intelligent, brooding, pensive philosophy or English lit students who were ludicrously talented. Korben have that sound, a sound that is too intelligent and not upbeat enough to be typical college rock but might more accurately be described as basement rock. If there was such a thing as basement rock then Korben would be the embodiment.
And the first track on Korben’s debut album Steady Fools, “Super Selfish” is an excellent example of basement rock and has possibly the greatest intro ever written. The driving Foo Fighter-esque guitar riff and fabulous beat, give-way to Erin’s smooth vocals that give the petulant lyrics life. Erin’s voice is creamy smooth, but with an emotive edge that completely conveys the passion, anger, pain, or melancholy of any fractious lyrics.
Other tracks of mention, well the whole album really, there isn’t a bad track on Steady Fools but the stand out tracks are “Phone Number”, Chad’s power guitar riff playing tantalisingly with Erin’s glassy vocals. “It’s Over” starts slower, with a darker more melancholy guitar riff but swiftly moves into that beautiful dance between honeyed vocals, passionate, angst-ridden lyrics, and powerful rock guitar. “Always My Fault” with its Irish lilt built in and “Sadie Rose” which teases you into believing it’s a ballad, until the forceful guitar joins those silky vocals.
Steady Fools is a fantastic rock-romp made by two disgustingly talented people. And you would be fools not to check it out for yourself. You can hear Korben at their MySpace space. Steady Fools is available from CDBaby, Korben’s own music store and, of course, from iTunes. And check out the video for “Super Selfish” below.
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