Electric Peace opens its EP with the project’s title track. Brian Kild is the act’s lead singer and has led this group since the early 90s. He sings this afterlife-predicting title song with all the enthusiasm of a hellfire and brimstone revival preacher. The song’s arrangement is a surging, Doors-like hard rocker. Kild, however sounds like the meshing of a rock vocalist and an opera singer. It’s an oddly unique combination.
The recording’s next track, “Dinah Might,” while equally destructive, lyrically, applies a more swinging arrangement. The guitar is soulful, the bass is slightly funky and Kild sounds a bit like a Rat Pack swinger singing it out. No, this is not a big band arrangement. Nevertheless, Kild doesn’t sound like he’s inspired by any obvious rock vocalists on it. The song does include an especially psychedelic electric guitar solo, however, which helps the track to retain its rock credentials.
STREAMING ALBUM:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3jDFdsUrPHhcHt200NHvaF
“Stranded In Love” forgoes hard rocking altogether. It begins with “Ring of Fire”-like horns, as well as what sounds like marimbas playing. This one has all the earmarks of south of the border music during its verses. However, once Electric Peace gets to its chorus, it sounds more like a ‘70s Bobby Sherman hit AM radio. The track’s electric guitar solo rings out like a Spaghetti western instrumental moment.
The recording closes with “Tell Me You Hate Me.” It’s the kind of song that is the polar opposite of most ‘love’ songs. “Do me a favor,” Kild pleads, “Tell me you hate me.” This song includes an especially weedy, psychedelic electric guitar solo. It sounds like one of those memorable garage rock songs from the late ‘60s, back when Dragnet was running episodes warning against the dangers of drug abuse. Kild sings it with that big, outlandish, over the top vocal tone once again.
One should probably not take Electric Peace seriously concerning its hell-bound announcement. This group is having fun with theology, more so than preaching against the sort of lifestyle that that sends a sinner to hell. Vocalist Kild spent time in prison with Rick James, after all, and few expect to see and hear James singing in some heavenly choir, after all’s been said and done.
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Even if you don’t particularly appreciate Electric Peace’s propensity to play fast and loose with otherwise serious spiritual issues, the group’s music is built upon solid, enjoyable musical values. Its members obviously know and appreciate rock music that came along before the band did. Therefore, the best way to listen to this EP is to just enjoy the musicianship if you don’t agree with Kild’s theology. However, if you think most all religion’s a joke, you may instead choose to sing along to it with great glee. It’s certainly a project that screams out to be played loud. These songs likely sound even better when performed live. Live concerts are on hold right about now, sadly. Therefore, you may want to crank it up and have your own personal home concert. If you’re going to hell, as Brian Kild predicts, you might as well try and have a good time while you’re still here.
-Dan MacIntosh
