The Finnish indie pop band Koria Kitten Riot plays a happy mixture of alternative pop and americana with singer/songwriter influences. Their third album, Rich Men Poor Men Good Men, was released on GAEA Records in 2014.
Lead singer Antti Reikko has a long list of influences that includes Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes and Nick Drake. KKR’s music is full of ambition and detail, but still manages to keep it intimate.
What Is Koria Kitten Riot?
Koria Kitten Riot is a Finnish indie pop band. Fronted by Antti Reikko, the group plays a happy mixture of alternative pop and americana with singer/songwriter influences. They released their third album Rich Men Poor Men Good Men in January 2014.
The band is comprised of three members, Teemu Vanska (bass guitar), Lasse Toimi (drums) and Olli Rahkonen (keyboards). Although they are based in Helsinki they have spent time touring across Europe.
They have a knack for prodding humanity in the ribs with their cleverly conceived songwriting. They have even gotten into the business of making music videos. The most recent release is the aptly titled ‘Songs of Hope and Science’.
The album is a whirlwind of indie whiz bangs and it is no surprise that it topped many of our charts. The most exciting part of the album is that it is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. There isn’t a single track on the album that I would hesitate to play on repeat. It is a truly worthy addition to any indie rock collection.
Koria Kitten Riot’s music
Finnish indie-folk group koriakittenriot’s third album is an uplifting, optimistic record. It is infused with influences from Elliott Smith, Wilco and early Weezer. It also features Americana and indie rock. The band is comprised of five members, including singer-songwriter Antti Reikko.
Reikko is a talented musician who has been working on his solo projects for a number of years. He has a knack for writing songs that are full of melodic nuances and thoughtful lyrics. His music is influenced by Elliott Smith, Neil Young, Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes, Nick Drake, Jon Auer and The Flaming Lips.
The band’s debut album, Rich Men Poor Men Good Men, is a very sweet indie-folk record that will make you smile. It is reminiscent of Annuals, Decemberists, and Grandaddy in its instrument-stuffed approach to indie pop.
In their own words, the band describe themselves as “funny, witty and a little whimsical” and are able to poke fun at themselves while still maintaining a sense of wonder. The theme of hope is woven throughout the album, reminding us all that there is always something to look forward to in life.
As a result, the band’s music is very appealing to listeners. They are known for their gentle melodic songwriting and thoughtful lyrics that help point us all in the right direction.
They have a new album, Songs of Hope and Science, coming out on January 27th. The album will be released on VILD Recordings. The band will be touring in support of the release. You can watch the new video for a track from the album, Between a Pillow and a Soft Place, below. You can also download the album for free via iTunes or Boomplay.
Koria Kitten Riot’s members
Koria Kitten Riot is a five-piece based out of Helsinki, Finland. The band is led by Antti Reikko, and they are backed by Lasse Toimi (keyboards), Teemu Vanska (bass), Olli Rahkonen (drums) and Eino Anttila (guitar). They have recently released their latest LP titled Songs of Hope and Science on VILD Recordings. Their oeuvre is a trifecta of Americana, indie rock and psychedelia. The best way to describe their sound is that they are the epitome of the band that combines the jangle of Wilco, the hooks of Neutral Milk Hotel and the songwriting of Elliott Smith. They are a band to watch.
The most impressive thing about koria Kitten Riot is their commitment to their craft. They have a long list of achievements to their credit, and they are well on their way to becoming one of the next big things in indie music.
Koria Kitten Riot’s influences
The mid-2000s was a time of bright, instrument-stuffed indie-pop, and Koria Kitten Riot isn’t ignoring the influence of that era. This Finnish quintet, fronted by singer-songwriter Antti Reikko, has found inspiration in Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens, The Flaming Lips, and early Weezer.
The band’s latest release, Songs of Hope and Science, brings together an uplifting mixture of Americana, indie rock, and psychedelia. The album’s thematic focus is on hope, and a number of tracks explore the idea that if humanity can get past its bleak present, then there is always something to look forward to.
With the help of a dazzling array of musicians and producers (including Doug Van Sloan, Bright Eyes’ Mark Oliver Everett, and John Congleton), Reikko’s songwriting is more ambitious than ever, combining the intimacy of a solo act with grandiose arrangements that make it sound like Bright Eyes was just a little closer to power-pop. The result is an album that is a joy to listen to.
With a song like “The Earth Will Spin Around” the album can be seen as an antidote to the cynicism and despair that permeates much of the music of 2016. The gentle melodic songwriting and thoughtful lyrics remind us that hope does lie just around the corner, and that there are reasons to stay positive. The lyrics are poignant, and they’re also very funny, with a bit of a sense of humour that keeps things from getting too depressing. This is an incredibly strong, well-crafted album that’s worth adding to your collection.