BLUEBOTTLE KISS
Revenge Is Slow (In Music We Trust)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Highly addictive pop from down under that can be minimalistically rootsy. playfully jangly or thoroughly encompassing in psychedelic washes and powerful rhythms. Bluebottle Kiss is just now breaking through to the United States after three albums in Australia, so when you hear it you'll understand how they can be this well seasoned and complete because, after all, Revenge Is Slow is not the debut many publications are calling it. The two Bens (Fletcher on guitar and Grounds on bass) have monster tones, and that is plural for each, as there are no two songs with the same sounds here. Drummer Richard Coneliano can play the fragile songs with such beautiful sympathy that it's a shock when the next song comes and he's attacking with Bonham intensity. Vocalist Jamie Hutchings' voice is a thing of beauty even when he runs it to a tortured wail. That's the thing about Bluebottle Kiss in general: they've mastered the art of making music, and a sound, that can be fast, medium or slow tempo and still be heartbreakingly beautiful. That's no easy feat, but Bluebottle Kiss seem to live and breath it effortlessly.

© 2003 - DJ Johnson