Multi-instrumentalist Mickey Kahleck, aka Kooky Bombshell, has recorded and performed in roughly a dozen or more Twin Cities/Minnesota bands over the past 20 some years. Recently, this music veteran has gone solo and has finished putting together a home studio this past spring. The self-titled EP Kooky Bombshell is the first of what Kahleck hopes will be many more releases in the future. Recorded and mixed at The Bubble Room in the south metro region of Minnesota, “Kooky” used an Apollo x4 and run that into Logic. He also used lots of amps (Marshalls, Hiwatt, a ’68 Laney for the bass), Moog synths and modules, a digital Mellotron, Les Paul and Stratocaster guitars, and finally a high end Roland V drum kit, using raw samples directly from Superior Drummer. The recording was mastered by Bruce Templeton at Micophonic Mastering. Kooky Bombshell blends an influence of retro-pop, electronic and ‘70s meets ‘90s rock, giving listeners “a pleasant serving of eclectic diversion.”
The opener, “I Want All the Sounds” begins with a heavy synth sound, angelic like, soft signing and crisp action on the hi-hat cymbal. The bass drum rhythm pulses steady and builds up along with the song’s, very spaced out, futuristic electronic style. Extra pops and hissing coming in after the second verse adding more textures and layers. And then the song fades out. A mysterious feel with this first track. “Make the Call” opens up with a heavy hitting bass/drum rhythm and a piano melody. The constant repeating drums and energized power guitar chords, reminds me of indie rock bands from the early 2000s, like say what Coldplay used to sound like. Great energy from start to finish with this tune. “Christ in Jeans” has got one hell of a heavy guitar sound - I absolutely loved it! Deep and mean sounding, harkening back to the hard rock days of the ‘70s, but the song’s melody also sounds fresh and new. I like the chilling backing vocal track here, too, as well as the guitar solo. Another great track in my opinion. “Work Together” switches gears into the realm of synth pop/electronica of the ‘80s. If you like bands like Kraftwerk and Devo - you’ll like this track. I’m just simply blown away by how much this song sounds completely opposite of the last one. “Night Life” is the longest track on the EP and it also features a synth beginning. There is also piano, drums and a style that’s more rock-pop than electronica. I guess I would categorize this one as having an early new wave sound that features classic elements of rock and pop - like one foot in the late ‘70s, one foot in the ‘80s. But it’s hard to say who or what band I would compare this song to. The last track “Pariah” has got a terrific groove and feel to it, one that shouldn’t be missed. The guitar hook is catchy, the rhythm section rocks hard and steady - it’s just an all-around great closing track. I’d say this one has got a classic ‘70s rock sound, but I also feel there are some raw, post-punk sensibilities in there, too. All things considered, for his first solo outing, Kooky Bombshell nailed it. I enjoyed every song on this EP. Each track seemed to have its own “thing” going, but somehow all the tracks fit together really well.
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