I’ll admit I’m a new convert to Katherine Elizabeth (Kaki) King’s intricate music. I haven’t listened to her previous body of work which has higher critical acclaim. I’m not really knowledgeable in this acoustic alt. country/folk/indie stuff, frankly I haven’t even listened to Cat Power. I’m not an American you know!

That’s why I’m not able to write a proper review about her new album, yet Atlanta native guitarist’s fourth one “Dreaming of Revenge” has been one of the better albums this year that I keep going back to. Her guitarwork & tone is amazing, her voice isn’t bad, and what’s more she has proper songwriting skills.

Too many new artists are focused on sound & form yet most of them never deliver the goods when it comes to writing songs these days. There are at least 3 “very good” singles here, and a few more, “good” ones. Songs like “Pull me out Alive” are frighteningly radio-friendly, (and I think her core fans are probably upset about this) yet there are less straightforward ones to even it out.

When Kaki King went into the studio in upstate New York to record the tracks for her fourth album, Dreaming Of Revenge, her producer, Malcolm Burn, had one condition: “He said, ‘If someone can’t be sawing a log in half and whistling along to the song, I don’t want it on the record,’”

Over all it’s a solid indie/pop album that’d appeal to bigger masses, kinda like the Feist album of yesteryear if I can make a broad comparison. I’m hard pressed to check her previous work to see if she’s changed for the good or for the worse. Out on Velour

Kaki King - So Much For So Little
Kaki King - Life being what it is