Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Highland Kites - ALl we left behind

10/15/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Highland Kites

All we left behind
self-released; 2015

3.9 out of 5

By Matt Jensen
​
Highland Kites is a musical project started by Marissa Lamar after overcoming a severe illness. I have to imagine going through the creative process of making music has been a cathartic and therapeutic process for her. On her latest release All we left behind she worked with a handful of talented musicians including Neil Briggs (drums), Raymond Richards (guitar/bass), Kaitlin Wolfberg (violin/viola) and Ken Oak (cello).

All we left behind is a great listen even if it feels a tad bit scattered at times. Lamar delivers her vocals with the utmost honesty that you can’t fake. It also doesn’t hurt that she has voice that doesn’t take much effort to enjoy. Stylistically is where Lamar jumps around a bit. All sorts of references popped into my mind such as Mazzy Star, The Chromatics and even Feist. 

The Mazzy Star reference was made on the first song “Small Frame” because of the dreamy atmospheric music made possible with a good amount of hall reverb on the guitars and vocals. The song is one of the highlights on the album and unlike Mazzy Star has an upbeat, energetic energy during the verse that could be more comparable to Lower Dens. As you listen to the lyrics you can’t help but surmise that she is singing about not only the acceptance of death but the ubiquitous Eastern thought spread by gurus such as Nisargadatta Maharaj and Jiddu Krishnamurti that we’re more than a point of conscious trapped inside a meat body. She sings, “I'm only human on the outside. If my body crumbled to the sea, would you feel me in the water? Could you hear me in the breeze? So if my little body breaks, my love it will be okay. I'm more than just a human, that slowly fades away.”

“Now I’m Home” contains a good mix of melancholy and reverence. A theme starts to emerge as she sings about escape and in particular from her human form. She sings, “I start to wish the rain would melt me and the clouds would pick me up again. I'd become part of something beautiful, but I've always been a bit insane.” 

“Black and White” has hints of The Chromatics and was a personal favorite. It’s a darker song in regards to the lyrics and general atmosphere. Lamar questions the ambiguity of her own existential questions while also wondering if the innate instinctive patterns and cycles we live by are natural. The next song “Broken” could actually be about the same topic as “Black and White” but could also easily be interpreted as a song about an interpersonal relationship.

Luckily, Lamar knows that an album needs a change in mood once in awhile. “Empty Pages” has deep, reverent lyrics but also manages to rock out and Lamar belts out a melody. “I Don’t Blame You” is the most single worthy song on the album. It’s catchy, upbeat and has a hook.
​
There are plenty of moments on All we left behind where Lamar veers towards the darkness whether it's questioning her surrounding or lamenting about feeling alone. The closer “Bitter to Brilliant” is more of an optimistic song in a number of ways and thought it was an excellent way to wrap things up. It has a life-affirming feel and the lyrics back it up. She sings, “Holding hands on swings and you screamed to me, “in 20 years, this moment will be just as strong." In all my fits and rages, as I burned our pages, I smiled in knowing the depths of love. I came alive for you. You're still alive in me.”

All We Left Behind only has minor mishaps. It’s an album that is well-written, well produced and above all else feels incredibly heartfelt and genuine.
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact