"In this climate of economical collapse, it’s so cool when bands can collaborate in the true spirit of art." The Chicago five-piece are back with a new album they call the "proudest accomplishment of our lives."
Kill Hannah may well be Chicago's best kept secret. With an extensive back-catalogue, a combination of fourteen EPs and albums, that dates back to 1994 you might be wondering why you've never heard of this band before. After over a year of touring in Europe, Kill Hannah are back with a brand new full length, Wake Up The Sleepers, which will prove to be the album of their careers.
Recorded in Chicago over a period of two months, Kill Hannah took control of the production themselves going back to the early days of the band where everything was done by them and no one else. The title itself is a "statement of affirmation in a music industry that has tragically lost its way.", proving that this is a band that wants to make a change in the industry.
Wake Up The Sleepers is a far cry from the more 'commercial' sounding 2006 release of Until There's Nothing Left Of Us, this album is darker and more intense; a sound that makes your heart ache due to it's sheer beauty. Why I Have My Grandma's Sad Eyes is a mixture of dark synth, bass and Mat Devine's trademark effeminate vocals, with uplifting lyrics like "Universe wrap your arms around me/Make me strong so I can take on anyone." that are sure to make anyone feel unstoppable. Whereas Promise Me, the shortest song on the album, uses only a bass and Mat singing in almost a whisper which creates a delicate and heart-breakingly beautiful song reminiscent of the early Kill Hannah material.
As would be expected from Kill Hannah, there are Mat's super-romantic lyrics that add more depth to each song. Especially on track number two, Snowblinded; it's put quite simply "I just want you to know I think you're beautiful". The chorus of Mouth To Mouth is also pretty blunt, "Get over here/I need you mouth to mouth". But the layers of that song in particular, ambulance sirens, synth that resembles a pulse and piano, add a darker and more lustful romanticism to the entire track.
Something that may be thought as unusual for Kill Hannah, are the more upbeat and danceable tracks like New York City Speed, Tokyo (Dance In The Dust) and Escape Artistry. NYCSpeed is a remastered version of a demo from a few years back that has been given special treatment with heavy guitars, electronics and a thumping drum beat. Tokyo features the same elements but with a breakdown with only vocals chanting "T.O.K.Y.O", it's almost impossible to imagine this song would not be played live. And Escape Artistry is a fast-paced song with stunning guitar work that could easily become a live favorite as well.
What is also impressive about this album is the number of big names Kill Hannah have collaborated with the create this album. Benji Madden from Good Charlotte, Chibi from The Birthday Massacre, Shiny Toy Guns, the lengthy guitar solo in Strobe Lights is done by Tom Schleiter, from Chicago band Powerspace, and Amanda Palmer all lend their musical talents to create what truly is an amazing album. On this subject, vocalist Mat Devine wrote on his Fuse blog: "In this climate of economical collapse, it’s so cool when bands can collaborate in the true spirit of art."
Overall, Wake Up The Sleepers is an extremely impressive album that is a perfect combination of uplifting dance-esque tracks, deeply romantic lyrics and beautifully intense music. This is definitely one album that you will listen to over and over, and still have a hard time picking a soild favorite because of the wide musical variety. One thing that is certain, Kill Hannah won't be an underground band for much longer.
Track listing:
1. Radio
2. Snowblinded
3. New York City Speed
4. Living In Misery
5. Strobe Lights
6. Why I Have My Grandma's Sad Eyes
7. Tokyo (Dance In The Dust)
8. Mouth To Mouth
9. Vultures (Be There For Me)
10. Escape Artistry
11. Acid Rain
12. Laika
13. Promise Me
Wake Up The Sleepers is released on September 29th through Original Signal
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