Help me understand this KOL hype.

Brisk.

Okay..

tell me what i need to listen to to understand all this KOL hype please.

South of Seattle

They are good. But I think the Hype > than reality.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

cuz they are awesome. actually ignore that. im contributing to the ridiculous hype. just picked up the new album while trying to ignore the hype and love it.

i will say that i didnt get them at all until i saw them live. i thought his voice was corny, but now i get it. shame about that dude's face though. ugly as hell.

12345AGNST1

I was gonna start a thread about this awhile ago but I just decided to post my thoughts on KOL in a thread here:http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?p=5864474#post5864474

Never understood the hype. I think they sound pretty lame and look like douche bag emos in some of their pics.

Brisk.

12345AGNST1 wrote:

I was gonna start a thread about this awhile ago but I just decided to post my thoughts on KOL in a thread here:http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?p=5864474#post5864474

Never understood the hype. I think they sound pretty lame and look like douche bag emos in some of their pics.

the lead singer plays the guitar all annoying and the guitarist on the left looks so annoying when he is playing but hey i better listen to their music.

I watched them on jools holland and thought they were mediocre.

partyofone

Heh, I was just thinking the same thing.
I find their songs to be pretty average, but then again, I've only heard a handful. I actually do like the singer's voice however.

I forgot where, but one critic described KoL as, 'hipster music you don't have to feel guilty liking'...I think that kinda explains the hype? I dunno, I don't get it either.

wolfbear

We saw them open for PJ in Hawaii in 2006. Liked them and bought their album because of that, but were disappointed. I think they are just ok.

Red_Dot

They are great live.
I love the first two albums and would highly recommend them (Youth & Young manhood, Aha Shake Heartbreak)
I dont like the new album at all. I love KOL but do not understand the hype on this album at all.

dharma69

I BrisK I wrote:

Okay..

tell me what i need to listen to to understand all this KOL hype please.

Just listen to their music...any of it. Pick an album or a song and press play. The first 2 albums are where they started. The last 2 are where they are.

It's not that difficult. Either you'll like or you won't. Despite what anyone says, they are quite unique; whether you like them or not, they are unique and for that reason, alone, they deserve all the praise that they get.

Zoso

recommend their first 3 albums their new one is pretty average to be honest. It has a few good songs (manhattan, cold desert, closer, crawl) but nothing like their first 3 albums. I would see them live again though they are good live.

surfanddestroy

I dont get them either, saw them a couple of years back at a festival and found them to be very bland.

HatredThrownDown

dharma69 wrote:

Just listen to their music...any of it. Pick an album or a song and press play. The first 2 albums are where they started. The last 2 are where they are.

It's not that difficult. Either you'll like or you won't. Despite what anyone says, they are quite unique; whether you like them or not, they are unique and for that reason, alone, they deserve all the praise that they get.

if you dont like it, you dont like it. dont force yourself. their live show is what sold it for me too. the new album is excellent in my opinion and i hope to see them again very soon.

stu gee

Just listen to them, if you like you like, you like, and if you dont, dont listen again. There is no hidden secret.

facepollution

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SiHZxxBg0oU

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MeBIt7I2XpQ

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EzW3GJR98pE

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xE4VUnbZ5xM

and maybe this one http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ZG4_fOoNc

MattyJoe

http://youtube.com/watch?v=duNcbab0Zng

WATCH THAT. That is why everyone likes them. The energy, the lyrics, the garage-band-ness. Awesome.

Mike_Muse_Rage

I BrisK I wrote:

the lead singer plays the guitar all annoying and the guitarist on the left looks so annoying when he is playing but hey i better listen to their music.

I watched them on jools holland and thought they were mediocre.

Same here. Also, the bassist has one of the worst bass tones and worst techniques I've ever seen. The guitarist looked like Matt Lucas and they all looked like they'd much rather be doing something else. All their songs sound... "flat" to me; lifeless.

South of Seattle

MattyJoe wrote:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=duNcbab0Zng

WATCH THAT. That is why everyone likes them. The energy, the lyrics, the garage-band-ness. Awesome.

You mean that's why people liked them.

I enjoy KOL a lot. Have all their records, am seeing them next month for the 4th time . . . but the live show is kinda boring and predictable. Also they're not the most entertaining live act to watch. Just my humble opinion.

pirlo21

I try to avoid hype that surrounds any band or artist. I avoid reading reviews on shows and albums.
I'd rather make my own mind up.

As Public Enemy once said "Don't Believe The Hype"!

Strangest Tribe

I've been a fan of KOL for about 5 years, the new album is not as representative of the original sound that got me into them originally. I still like the new album though.

For me it's the lyrics and the voice that gets me into them... I've seen them live 4 times and they are good ....not great.
IMO they need more audience interaction during their live sets.

azwyldcats

I BrisK I wrote:

Okay..

tell me what i need to listen to to understand all this KOL hype please.

You are in the UK where they are popular. Listen to Black Thumbnail, Tranni, Use Somebody, Spiral Staircase, Fans, Wasted Time, Ragoo.

?ing my education

I BrisK I wrote:

Okay..

tell me what i need to listen to to understand all this KOL hype please.

Why? You obviously don't like them or don't find them that interesting. Why should anyone try to "help" you understand them.

I personally really like them. I have been a fan since the first album came out and hardly anyone knew who they were. I have seen them live 8 or 9 times and every show was good. Not great, but good. Their image has changed and I could care less what the reasons are behind that. As long as they put out music I like, that's all that matters to me.

There will always be haters.