Kingdom of Suicide Lovers “Distant Waves” LP

Full length by the great Austin band Kingdom of Suicide Lovers, released in 2012, recorded in mono. Available on black vinyl or limited edition white vinyl.

“Like fictional lovers disappearing into a fog-shrouded abyss, the debut LP from this Glorium/Faceless Werewolves amalgam channels darkness and romance in equal parts. Kingdom of Suicide Lovers combines sizzling post-punk impressionism with breathy, boy/girl vocal interplay in a manner finding antecedents in dreamlike dystopian duets like X's "The Unheard Music" and Sonic Youth's "Death Valley '69."

Announcing themselves with a hard-boiled guitar chord, the well-pedigreed local trio launches into opener "Red Tent" at desert highway speed. Drummer Baldomero Valdez puts the hammer down as marrieds Paul Streckfus and Kelsey Wickliffe trade opaque, telegraph missive lyrics. While the bulk of Distant Waves is guitar-driven, "This Isn't Easy To Say" incorporates psychedelic organ sounds to heighten the eeriness.

The reprise of the title track goes even further, incanting Tangerine Dream by way of 45 Grave for a retro-futuristic ghoul rock finish. Despite KOSL's penchant for the foreboding, its provocative, electric delivery is anything but morose.

3.5 Stars”
(Austin Chronicle 9/21/12)