DB.KINNEY - Blind Side Mirror

DB.KINNEY

Blind Side Mirror
self-released; 2019

​3.9 out of 5

By Jay Freeman

DB.KINNEY is an American rock band and Blind Side Mirror is their first collection of songs from its founding member David Kinney. The debut focuses on “heart-felt lyrics of love and loss, bitter-sweet memories and relationships that strain your patience and efforts – to breathe life into the sometime hopeless and irreverent of causes.” The EP was recorded at Dream Big Basement Studio. Drummer Brandon Novak laid down his beats at Groove Recording Studio, while bassist Hish or “the Hish” brought his expertise to the fold and sang on backing vocals.

​All songs were written by Kinney and he sings on lead vocals, as well as play guitar, bass and piano. Formed in Glastonbury, Connecticut in 2018, the band's sound encompasses multiple rock genres, including post-rock and alternative rock and they are influenced by bands like Dinosaur Jr., REM, the Cure and the Replacements. Currently, the band is performing club dates in the New England area.

The opener “Killing Time” indeed brings to mind a sound that’s part Midwest indie-rock a la the Replacements and the southern jangle-pop of R.E.M. Kinney’s voice is smooth and cool among the backdrop of warm tones, bright melodies and a few hints of the piano. “Bitter Truths” rocks harder with raggedy edged guitar riffs, similar to Dinosaur Jr. or perhaps even Hüsker Dü, with sweet sounds of the ride cymbal. I really liked the swaying and rumbling beat on “Pain Over Peace” not to mention Kinney’s lighter acoustic guitar and backing harmonies. The “feeling” within the song I get, for lack of a better word, is that this tune somehow reminded me of summer. It’s hard to describe songs like this sometimes, but every once in a while a certain song can remind you of a particular season of the year. This song did it for me.

“In the Seams” had a great, edgy rocking bounce to it with catchy, full blown guitar hooks. Novak’s drumming gets really good on this one. “Sparkle in the Shade” is the last number and also the band’s shortest. More acoustic and folksy than the others, it reminded me a little of Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train” or even a more modern version of Ray Davies and The Kinks. All in all, I thought Blind Side Mirror was a strong debut – consistent in its production and the performance of Kinney and company was solid – an enjoyable band to listen to.

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