When most aspiring bands start off on their rock 'n' roll journey you'll find that, band practice was either in a hired (often cheap) practice pad or, whichever mate's house had the biggest garage...well not for THE KING'S PARADE, nah fuck that, how about a cruise ship around Hawaii?! I shit you not...despite hailing from York, the four piece (consisting of Olly Corpe, Sam Rooney, Tom English and Chris Brent) found themselves sailing around the west coast of the States' for three months, playing five 45 minute sets a day, seven days a week just to save up a little cash post-university...whether that's ingenious or insane, you can be the judge but it worked; they tightened quickly as a band and now back on home soil they have been doing increasingly well for themselves. With backing from BBC6 Music and sold-out shows in London via word of mouth alone, there's a level of hype surrounding TKP and on May 12th they release their brand new EP "Haze"...let's check it out.
We begin with "Not Yet" and what's obvious from the word go is that this is natural, this is organic...there are hypnotic qualities to this opening track; the softly plucked, simplistic yet simultaneously intricate acoustic guitar, the drums, steady and smooth...the vocals, delicate and harmonious...it's a perfect combination of blues inspired soulful soft-rock, with subtle pop elements adding a level of melody to the track and it works beautifully...the chorus is passionate but everything is in moderation, you can tell these guys have practiced their asses off to be who they are today; a great introduction.
"Of Stone" follows on and quite appropriately in regards to it's name at least it's a slower number, very paced, very methodical...the guitar tone here is rich in a southern-style of blues rock that would easily please fans of the likes of ALABAMA SHAKES and THE BLACK KEYS...it's almost lethargic, but again it carries with it a sense of soul that you simply have to appreciate. "Mother Tongue" again utilizes a restrained approach, another slow-burner but with a seriousness in it's tone, similar too to the overall vibe of the EP's closing title track "Haze", the latter's story being told via a video of interpretive dancers, rich in subtle tension and emotion equally, it's very artsy in it's own right but it's enjoyable despite it's sense of melancholy.
The UK may not be really renowned for it's soul music but there are artists that use the influence to their advantage...James Veck-Gilodi of DEAF HAVANA is a prime example in his story telling and the recent success of RAG 'N' BONE MAN shows there is a clear market for it...if TKP can strike while the iron is hot I'm sure they'll at least get themselves noticed on a larger scale. I'm sure they'd rather be cruising up the charts than around Hawaii...saying that...*phones P&O Cruises*...[6]
We begin with "Not Yet" and what's obvious from the word go is that this is natural, this is organic...there are hypnotic qualities to this opening track; the softly plucked, simplistic yet simultaneously intricate acoustic guitar, the drums, steady and smooth...the vocals, delicate and harmonious...it's a perfect combination of blues inspired soulful soft-rock, with subtle pop elements adding a level of melody to the track and it works beautifully...the chorus is passionate but everything is in moderation, you can tell these guys have practiced their asses off to be who they are today; a great introduction.
"Of Stone" follows on and quite appropriately in regards to it's name at least it's a slower number, very paced, very methodical...the guitar tone here is rich in a southern-style of blues rock that would easily please fans of the likes of ALABAMA SHAKES and THE BLACK KEYS...it's almost lethargic, but again it carries with it a sense of soul that you simply have to appreciate. "Mother Tongue" again utilizes a restrained approach, another slow-burner but with a seriousness in it's tone, similar too to the overall vibe of the EP's closing title track "Haze", the latter's story being told via a video of interpretive dancers, rich in subtle tension and emotion equally, it's very artsy in it's own right but it's enjoyable despite it's sense of melancholy.
The UK may not be really renowned for it's soul music but there are artists that use the influence to their advantage...James Veck-Gilodi of DEAF HAVANA is a prime example in his story telling and the recent success of RAG 'N' BONE MAN shows there is a clear market for it...if TKP can strike while the iron is hot I'm sure they'll at least get themselves noticed on a larger scale. I'm sure they'd rather be cruising up the charts than around Hawaii...saying that...*phones P&O Cruises*...[6]
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