Kentucky Nightmare

          Coming from Bloomington, Indiana, Kentucky Nightmare fuses bluesy rhythm with more modern indie stylings to create a sound that is reflective of decades of musical evolution.  Having initially formed in 2004, the band currently consists of members Simon P. Moore (Guitar/Vocals), Chris Brubeck (Guitar/Organ), Casey Reuter (Bass), and Kyle Collins (drums), and have released four albums.  Most recently, In The House Facing South (April 2016) has perpetuated their musical journey.

          The album begins strong with "A Mantra".
Excited, 'free-sounding' drums give way to a soulful blues chord progression, topped by Moore's expressive, Weezer-esque vocals.  The organ joins in, followed by well-timed drum accents to make this song a powerful statement of individuality.  With punchy chords and hard-hitting drums, the track has an anthemic nature that is capped by a fuzzed guitar solo that fades out into feedback.  In terms of its position on the album, there is no better place for it than the opening track, as it hints at the stylistic blend that the group employs and maintains a high energy that pulls in the listener.

          Of additional special note on the album, "Emma" takes on a more melancholy tone and helps to round out the project.  The song bursts out immediately with a strong, minor chord progression that harkens back to an earlier form of blues, while maintaining a distinctly modern flavor in its tone and interpretation.  Arpeggiated chords flutter gently in the backdrop of the soundscape whilst Moore somberly sings of unrequited love.  Delicately driven guitar licks punctuate the end of each line.  As vocal harmonies accent Moore, the listener finds themselves entranced by the story and relatable dejection it conveys.  As the track transitions into a guitar solo reminiscent Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Cortez The Killer", the emotional energy of the track becomes increasingly apparent.  Ending on a more upbeat chord with a slow-walking bass line, there seems a hope to be gleamed from the situation described in the song.

          Kentucky Nightmare differentiates themselves from other blues-inspired groups by adding a unique modern flair to their instrumentation, while simultaneously fusing it with a 90's indie sound vocally and stylistically.  A band with several full albums out, I can only imagine how they will continue to evolve and what that will mean for future projects.  Be sure to listen to their music on BandCamp and to follow them on Facebook, as well as to check out their website for the latest news and concert information.

Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this review.  Please feel free to comment on this article about whatever you feel like (suggestions, what you think of the band, etc...).  If you would like to contact me for any reason, check out the 'Contact' tab above.  Have a nice day and rock on!