Kissing Cousins - EP 3

For two years or so, the four girls known as Kissing Cousins have been making high-brow indie pop with a dark and sultry flair. On their third release for Velvet Blue Music, the girls seem to be maturing as musicians and as a band. The feel is similar to the last couple of discs with the exception that the arrangements sound more full and layered.

The disc is comprised of only four tracks plus a video for the song "Silhouettes" from the first ep. Weigh the Options opens the ep with a signature KC darkness and guitar sound that haunts you like the ghost of a poison relationship. These ladies sound a little jilted in the man department, which makes for great, although disturbing lyrics. I will admit that it's hard for me to identify with some of the songs due to the fact that I'm so far removed from dating and happily married. One Eyed Woman picks up the pace and delivers a girl power dance anthem. The Cousins continue to make unique use of the flute as more than just filler but as a featured instrument in the band. This is part of what makes them so unique. I can't think of another band who sounds exactly like them.

As with other Kissing Cousins discs, I can tell a definite Starflyer 59 and Map influence yet, the girls remain original in their writing and the way they actually pull off the songs. I had the chance to see them at Cornerstone Festival last year and the thing that really hits you is that this is an actual band and not just some ladies who wanted to play around in the studio for awhile. They are serious about making artistic pop music that will likely only be enjoyed by the few people who understand it. We're probably never going to hear Kissing Cousins on the radio because, the truth is, most people just wouldn't get it. If you've never discovered them for yourself, head on over to Velvet Blue's website or the Cousin's myspace and pick up a copy of their eps. Hopefully, they will one day decide to go ahead and grace us with a full length.