Koria Kitten Riot
There was a time in the mid-’00s when the whole indie-pop world had been awash with bands purveying a very particular kind of cheerful, instrument-stuffed pop music that wasn’t being well represented on the radio. It was a happy time.
On Rich Men Poor Men Good Men, Helsinki-based indie rock band koriakittenriot, fronted by singer-songwriter Antti Reikko, picks up the torch of that sort of pop, and it’s a joy to listen to. The guitar hooks aren’t cloying and the vocals are twee without being too cute.
The songs are awash with harmonies, and Reikko’s lyrics are evocative and thoughtful. The music is full of detail, and the ambitious instrumentation reminds us of Bright Eyes.
This is a very personal album for Reikko, and he’s keen to share it with listeners. He posts songs on Facebook regularly, explains the characters and emotions of the songs, and is very interested in connecting with fans.
‘Songs of Hope and Science’ is an album that can be seen as both a positive and negative reflection on 2016. The first song, ‘The Earth Will Spin Around’, highlights the fragility of humanity, but it also makes an uplifting statement about hope.
‘Songs of Hope and Science’, written in a slightly whimsical style, takes a positive approach to what has been a tumultuous year for many. This is a band who have the ability to preach a message of hope through undeniably timeless songwriting, and this album is the perfect way to start the new year.