Rob's Album Of The Week: The Brother Kite's Model Rocket

By Rob Duguay

For over a decade The Brother Kite have stood at the forefront as one of the premier alternative rock bands in the Providence music scene and with good reason. Along with a radio friendly pop vibe they have a sound that resonates the styles of R.E.M., The Replacements, The Pixies and Buffalo Tom while at the same time creating music so unique that they can call it their own. This seasoned quintet currently have a brand new album out in Model Rocket that flat out kicks ass with a great mix of loud, emphatic tracks along with a few ballads to keep it honest. 2013 has been an amazing year for albums becoming masterpieces, you can definitely put The Brother Kite’s Model Rocket in that exclusive group.

The band’s 4th studio album is very consistent with each track being able to cleanse your soul and inject it with raw feeling, Patrick Boutwell’s lyrics can make you reflect & relate along with making you want to bob your head. One thing that is also very impressive about Model Rocket is that The Brother Kite sticks to their guns and they don’t do anything out of the ordinary. You have 3 guitars exuding sheer rock power along with the fever pitch of the rhythm section with the keys acting like the cherry on top of a rhythmic sundae, a complete arsenal launching a barrage of emphatic tunes. When an album from front to back is the full package, there's not much more you can ask for. Model Rocket reaches for the skies and hits the sun right when you press play.

There are reports of snow, people are freaking out as if it has never snowed in New England before and it doesn’t even snow in my neighborhood. What the hell is up with that? Welcome to late Fall where Mother Nature is saying to everyone “Oh, you think it’s cold now?!!! Just wait until next month!!!” topped off with an maniacal laugh. I can’t guarantee that my top tracks off of my Album Of The Week will make it warmer outside or stop it from snowing, but when you’re nestled in your humble abode with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate it should be a nice read. Now quit your complaining, here goes something:

The driving riffs in “Father To Son” have a lot of energy and vigor, the most headbanging track off of Model Rocket for sure. The keys on “Secrets” provide an epic beginning to a thunderous track, a sense of perseverance and overcoming throughout the song makes it very inspiring. The alternating between the acoustic and electric guitars on “Small Sparks” gives you a taste of both sides of the equation, I always like when a song has both the hard and soft tones to have both grit and smoothness. The quintessential radio hit has to be “Am I Making Sound?”, it sounds very Britpop but with The Brother Kite never being afraid to pump up the volume it’s another great rocking track. I know I only named a few, but don’t let that fool you. Model Rocket is a complete gem from start to finish.

The Brother Kite will be performing at Dusk tomorrow night and they’ll be celebrating the release of Model Rocket at The ROI on December 6th. Two chances to go see a fantastic band play in Providence, I advise you don’t miss either of them. While you’re patiently waiting to see The Brother Kite perform live, grab a copy of Model Rocket. It’ll drive the adults wild and the kids are going to love it.