CD Review

Artist: Kara Keith

Title: Kara Keith EP

Label: Saved By Radio

Publicity: Killbeat Music

Release Date: January 1^st 2008

4 Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Kara Keith does not fear music; instead she embraces its classical tenacity, its 80s pop personality and present day lippy lyrics. If Tori Amos, Peaches and a little breathy Jane Birkin had a baby, it would sound a lot like Kara Keith. Keith has a bold presence in her songs, both in arrangement, execution and piano playing. Keith has a great sense of where music can go, with memorable melodies, an understated but complex vocal and a punk-rockers gobby lyrics. At times Keith sounds like a flashback to British pop hits of the 80s (including great horns and synthesizer on ‘Kick This City'!), while other times she has a breathy Parisian singer's voice, such as the track ‘Knosses'

EP's are a musical business card, and Keith has mapped out a decadent card that should have many a record label drooling over the prospects of such a marketable commodity. Keith is beautiful and a mature talent, whose music beckons a more discerning listener's ear than those willing to wade in the waters of mainstream music. Straight out of the gate, ‘Gorgeous Gets The Gold' is a dynamic track with a strong piano piece, a girls choir, and a great pace to it. ‘Knosses' is a brilliant song Keith has produced with the classical piece ‘Gnossienne No. 1' by Erik Satie (you know the piece well, as it is an eerie piano sample used often in films. It can be last heard in The Painted Veil with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts) and her vocals gently laced over top.

Keith is a refreshing surprise from Alberta, as much of the Western music fits into two camps; country and western or simply husky rock band. Kara Keith makes sophisticated, playful songs that are akin to the Tori Amos brand of music. A card exists in the tarot deck that reminds me of Keith's music; the card represents a ‘quiet strength,' which is exactly where Keith's style lives. I think Keith's music would make a great, great, addition to any TV show soundtrack, as Grey's Anatomy made Kate Havnevik much more famous, lets hope another TV show would have the same good sense to do so with Kara Keith.

1. Gorgeous Gets The Gold
2. Kick This City
3. Get Up And Go Go
4. Dirty Girl
5. Knosses