K-Holes: Dismania

K-Holes
Dismania
Hardly Art Records [2012]









 Fire Note Says: K-Holes bring the gritty side of New York City straight to you on their sophomore outing Dismania.

Album Review:
If there was ever an album that sounded like it was straight out of the New York City streets I believe that the sophomore record from K-Holes could be a front runner. Its sludgy hazed up production fills your speakers with an overwhelming wave of noise while the combo powerhouse vocals of Jack Hines (Black Lips) and Vashti Windish (Golden Triangle) cut through their self-generated barriers.

For an album that has a common undertone of haywireness, disorientation and pure mayhem, the K-Holes pull it all together with their surf-garage-shoegaze fuzz approach that interestingly enough is gelled together by the saxophone of Sara Villard. The K-Holes manipulate these elements on every track into high octane rockers like the dreaded and catchy 2 minute "Rats", a memorable howling in "Nightshifter" and a more droned out almost 5 minute "Window In The Wall".

K-Holes won't be for every ear but their edginess and appeal really starts to grab you after several listens to  Dismania. It is a record that lives, eats, breathes and sleeps New York as it's no nonsense presentation comes off hard edged but with purpose. It is a very driven album all the way to the end regardless of tempo as the K-Holes do their thing and really could care less if anyone is listening. This is what makes Dismania worth your time and what will bring you back to the K-Holes style of rock.


Key Tracks: "Rats", "Frozen Stiff", "Nightshifter"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Velvet Underground
The Birthday Party
A Place To Bury Strangers

K-Holes Website
K-Holes Facebook
Hardly Art Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony