The Karma Kicks - It's All Gone Wrong

The Karma Kicks 

It's All Gone Wrong
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

The Karma Kicks have been laying it down since 2012, coming strong out of historic St. Paul, MN. Best friends for over a decade, the guys have no trouble hitting the same wave length, they don’t miss a beat musically and it’s easy to see they share the same passion for life as well as their songwriting. Their second album, It's All Gone Wrong, was recorded in Minneapolis and released January 4th, 2014 at the Turf Club. 

The album had a big impact on the local scene and it was named one of top best local Minnesota albums of 2013. If that doesn’t sell I don’t know what does. Side note, this all happened in my backyard. I can proudly say I was there for that release as I live a stone’s throw away from the Turf. Small world. Good band. They have a garage sound but at times they show similarities to early Kings of Lion and they’ll likely surprise listeners with their folk material. It’s a mixed bag of pre-polished rock n’ roll that just might suck you in.

I was pleased to see them give a nod to our friends up north in Duluth, MN. That town deserves a song or two in any Minnesotan’s songbook. Bob Dylan hated it, but he wrote a song about it. Had to like it just a little. “More Duluth” takes some shots at the snow, but in the end it’s a big thumbs up to the Northland. We need more bikes, more hills, more Duluth. Here, here Karma Kicks. “Speak Clearly” has a fun danceable romp to it and I see it going over very well in packed little bar corners. “Comin Loose” takes a turn toward an aggressive sound and contrasts falsetto cooing with choral shouting. Makes for a nice section.

The catchiest of the bunch has got to be “Runnin’ Round.” It’s a little Eric Clapton, a little Black Keys. There’s great balance of the trending minimal rock sound with classical rock flavor. The riff hits, builds, gains weight and bleeds into a solo all within about a minute. That’s a gem right there, I want to see more out of it because that song hadn’t reached it’s full potential. Which is somewhat the story of The Karma Kicks. They are on the cusp of something bigger than they really know. It’s only a matter of time and exposure before the levee breaks and we hear a lot more from them. Keep an eye out.

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