The KickDrums are comprised of producer/singer/songwriter Alex Fitts, and DJ/producer Matt Penttila. After meeting while working in Cleveland, the two noted their mutual interests and reputations as skilled producers. They united, and soon began to produce records for an impressive list of artists that include 50 Cent, John Legend, and Kanye West. In 2007 they shifted to working on their own songs. Fitts began to focus on his alt-rock roots and songwriting. Penttila focused on his love of electronic music, began to break down records, and flip obscure samples. The eventual result was Meet Your Ghost, their second album, and the first since signing with Last Gang Entertainment.
The album was preceded by a mixtape, The Ghost. That tape might lead the listener to thinking the album would be closer to pure hip hop, which isn’t the case. It’s mostly alternative rock, full of catchy hooks. Included on that tape was a fantastic Scarface track, a relatively faithful cover of Nirvana’s “Love Buzz,” and a cameo from The Rza on the song “Perfect World.” More on that last song in a moment.
But the hits come quick here on Meet Your Ghost. Track two, “Trouble Coming Everyday” is packed with handclaps, fuzzy guitars, and an insanely catchy chorus. It’s a pop song, and a great one at that.
The album as a whole is full of fantastic pop songs, including the aforementioned “Perfect World.” It’s closer to alt-rock than hip-hop, and the RZA verse is missed, but the song is still fantastic. It’s a love song, full of blaring guitars, over a kicking drum beat. It wouldn’t be surprising if the song is all over radio this summer.
The drums are ubiquitous on this album. Even on a ballad like “Travel Should Take You Places,” it’s impossible not to be drawn in by them. The song has a classical feel that’s compelling. The KickDrums is a group that has perfected the art of crafting an instrumental.
Meet Your Ghost has some great stuff. The songs feel a little monotonous after a few listens, but the huge pop sounds are irresistible. Some of the production sounds a bit like a modern version of Phil Spector’s famous Wall of Sound. The songs are stacked, full of interesting little noises, and compelling chord progressions. There is a lot to take in on this album, it’s more than enough to keep a listener coming back for more.
Tracklisting:
1. Meet Your Ghost
2. Trouble Coming Everyday
3. Colors
4. Perfect World
5. Counting On You
6. Naked
7. Had Too Much To Dream Last Night (Feat The Kid Daytona)
8. Love Can Drive Your Mind Wild
9. Travel Should Take You Places
For more on The KickDrums, visit http://www.thekickdrums.com/
