From moody folk and gospel, to unexpected marches and screaming fireworks, Kim Krans & Family Band moves its way through some heavy material in new EP ‘Cold Songs.’ Though she could reasonably be accused of the kind of drawl singing usually associated with folksy singers like Chan Marshall, Kim Krans is no direct descendant of Cat Power either. She uses her powers in quite different ways. In track "Beg" for instance, there are plenty of twists and turns reminiscent of Radiohead’s moodier journeys. Likewise, album opener ‘Cold Song’ begins innocently enough, before knocking you over the head with its drumlins midway through. For this band, it’s the unexpected unfolding of these songs that makes it really come together.
This is a record that abandons you in the middle of the forest for an evening, and comes to find you joyous in the morning, after experiencing the full range of that journey. See Family Band live at Brooklyn Bowl on June 4 within the Levon Helm celebration party, and check back in July for a full length.- Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)