KOLBAK - To The Teeth

​KOLBAK

To The Teeth
​self-released; 2022

4.0 out of 5

By Dino DiMuro

KOLBAK is a three-piece band from Amsterdam that play a “unique melodic vibe of indie rock, pop rock and - occasionally - postpunk.” Their first two albums were favorably reviewed on Divide & Conquer,  and their newest release is called To The Teeth.

The members of KOLBAK are Harold Pflug (singer/guitarist/songwriter), Ronald van der Vaart (bass) and Martin Voigt (drums). Though having begun as a solo vehicle for Harold Pflug, the band has toured as a three-piece since 2017. After releasing their EP Twists and Turns in the Fall of 2019, their club tour was cut short by Covid. However, they stayed active by writing new songs and performing live-streamed events. The band describes this project creatively as being mostly about “(mis)communication, about listening and about the futility and importance of connection. Smiling in the face of adversity. It makes sense when you give it a spin. And you can occasionally dance to it.”  

The album was recorded by producer Jan Schenk is his home studio on Pro Tools, mixing on a vintage Trident 3000 board (though the band regrets not having the time or funds to go totally analog). Mastering was by Peter Maher.

With “Off Day” I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the first jangly guitars sound like Monkees-era pop rock, complete with dit-dit-dit vocals. When the lead singer kicks in, he sounds very much like Squeeze’s Glenn Tillbrook. The band overall has the feel of XTC’s retro rock tracks, and the songwriting is snappy, surprisingly complex and full of hooks. There’s so much going on that when the guitar solo finally appears, it feels like a bonus.

“Happy Days” has the sound and structure of a Bob Mould tune, though the chorus unexpectedly jumps into a major key, much happier-sounding than old Bob can usually manage. The third iteration of the chorus changes to a higher key and faster tempo, and lyrically seems like a callout to R.E.M.’s “Fall On Me.” This one was an instant favorite at DiMuro House.

“Two Is” features close-up acoustic guitar and a deep tom toms intro.  Melodically and structurally it’s similar to “Happy Days” though more like the “unplugged” version. There’s a great moment after two minutes when the acoustic piano cascades in, like an old Rolling Stones LP. The title track “To The Teeth” is rollicking new wave-y rock, with a bit of a Knack beat. Higher pitched vocals and slashing wah wah rock guitars sometimes stop cold for the drums and bass to go it alone. 

“Confusion Against” features a chord scheme with major and minor chords constantly switching places like early R.E.M., with vocals that also channel Mike Stipe and a string quartet to fill everything out. Dramatic and compelling, this is my favorite by far. “Up For Air” begins with McCartney “Golden Slumbers” style acoustic piano and a more intimate vocal, again backed by the lovely string quartet that deserves credit by name: Mirte de Graaff and Chonja de Graaff (violins), Raemon van Heen (viola) and Eline Schrama (cello). “They Don’t Know” finishes the set with a cover of a song made famous by Tracy Ullman, which happens to be one of my favorites. It’s a jangle pop version, as opposed to Ullman’s bubble gum take. Great to hear this tune again and in this arrangement!

​Having played this album a few times, I’m still not entirely sure where the band’s ultimately headed, but I loved every track and I’m sure you will too!

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