After kicking off their debut disc with half a minute of ambient sound,
(The Sounds Of) Kaleidoscope kick into some classic power shoegazer pop that sounds almost exactly like
the Lilys at their peak. "There You Go" has layers of fuzzy guitars, a loping beat, and a killer melody sung in very sensitive, vaguely British tones. The track closes with a minute or two of dueling acid rock guitars, one in the left channel and one in the right. Right away the listener is left wondering if these guys can keep up the level of quality -- the answer is yes. "Haven't Got the Time" is another melodically charged rocker right out of the U.S. shoegazer playbook: laconic vocals, feedback, sleepy melodies. The remaining two tracks are just as much fun, "Sleep Plenty" being a highlight with the spiraling guitar solos that crash in a haze of reverb and echo. Anyone with a hankering to time travel back to the glory days of the early '90s when bands like
the Swirlies,
the Lilys, and
Velocity Girl and labels like Slumberland were rocking American indie kids should check out
These Are (The Sounds Of) Kaleidoscope. They even include a member of
the Ropers, one of the bands on the Slumberland roster. A very promising debut.
–
Tim Sendra, Rovi