Kaiser Cartel
(Daniel Records)
Kaiser Cartel, an unassuming boy/girl duo comprised of singer Courtney Kaiser and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Cartel, have managed to settle well below the radar, despite an album and several EPs that have reflected the twosome's loftier inclinations. Secret Transit more or less ups the ante, substituting an emphatic pop sound for the low-key ruminations that defined their previous attempts. The first half of the record refuses to falter, propelled by a decidedly insistent sound, manifest in the raging pulse of "Falling," the harmonies and handclaps of "Around You" and the kinetic frenzy found in the aptly titled "Ready to Go." Courtney Kaiser's chirpy vocals give the album a girl group persona, especially on songs like "Carroll Street" and "Worn Out Nervous Condition," where a giddy unabashed exuberance all but dominates the proceedings.
That said, the back portion of the album offers moments of repose, from the eerie, ethereal spin of "Minefield" and "The Wait" to the somber strum of "Wherever You Go." No matter though; Secret Transit shows the drive and determination to bring this pair the larger audience they deserve.
Standout Tracks: "Around You," "Worn Out Nervous Condition," "Carroll Street" LEE ZIMMERMAN
