The Mid-’00s Was A Good Time For Indie Pop
The ’00s were a good time for indie-pop music. Bands like Annuals, Decemberists, Grandaddy and the Shins purveyed a very particular type of giddy, instrument-stuffed pop music that wasn’t being well-represented on the radio.
On Rich Men Poor Men Good Men, Finnish quintet Koria Kitten Riot pick up that torch. They are a group of four musicians who bring their talents to the genre and make sure to make each tune feel like it was made for you, in their own special way.
Among their influences are Elliott Smith, Neil Young, Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes, Nick Drake, Jon Auer, Damien Rice and The Flaming Lips. It is usually someone with such a list of influences who really knows their music.
Their sound is a mix of indie rock, acoustic folk and power pop. It is a mixture of soft and serious vocals with an imaginative touch to the arrangements and the songwriting.
It is a very pleasant and uplifting album. There is a real sense of hope in their songs, that the world is not without hope – and that even when it gets a little dark there will be something out there to look forward to.
It is very pleasing to listen to, and if you are into cheerful, instrument-stuffed indie-pop then this album is for you. It will lift your spirits and you won’t want to stop listening!