By
Chad Taylor
soundcheck@dmcityview.com
 HipKnosis
‘Darkest Dreams’
Junior’s Motel Records
Let me get it out of the way now — this is
one of the best pop albums I’ve heard all year.
The first and most obvious driving force behind
the band is vocalist Heather Kelly and that
arresting, enchanting voice. But there’s also
the work of bassist Kirk Kaufman. He not only
anchors the rhythm section throughout the album,
but Kaufman’s also the owner and engineer of
Junior’s Motel, an outfit that has played host
to everyone from Slipknot to Brian Wilson. These
two combine their efforts with Melvin James
and Dave Hearn to create an album that’s catchy
and extremely listenable. “Darkest Dreams” has
a throwback feel throughout that alludes to
everything from Roxette-style ’80s pop to Jefferson
Airplane psychedelia. Top-notch guitar work,
tight songwriting and impeccable production,
combined with Kelly’s attention-demanding vocals
come together to create an album that is unabashedly
pop, but pop of the very best variety. CV
(HipKnosis plays the Bill Riley Stage at the
Iowa State Fair on Aug. 18 at 4 p.m.)
 Cains
& Abels
‘My Life is Easy’
Whistler Records
Cains & Abels bill themselves as a folk-rock
outfit, but “My Life is Easy” comes off sounding
more puckish and indie than anything else. Cue
up “Grow Me Home” and close your eyes, and you’ll
probably see a quirky movie trailer play through
your head. Maybe something starring Zach Braff
and/or Zooey Deschanel. Even if you don’t like
that kind of movie, I swear that’s not meant
as a slight. Cains & Ables has put together
an album that’s full of emotion and purpose.
It’s cinematic and expository. It may not be
the most daring thing I’ve ever heard, but “My
Life is Easy” is an album that goes to great
lengths to make small ideas feel big, and the
result is satisfying and effective. CV
(Cains & Abels play the Vaudeville Mews
on Aug. 18 at 4:30 p.m., $5)
Want your new CD reviewed? Email us a link
at soundcheck@dmcityview.com
or mail a physical copy to: Cityview, 414 61st
Street, Des Moines, IA 50312.
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