Kayo Dot – Blue Lambency Downward

29 May 2008, Jessica @ 5:30 pm The first time I heard Kayo Dot, I was kind of turned off. I had the impression they were in the post-rock genre, but their music was too chaotic, and I was just getting into the genre of “post-rock” at the time—I wanted more mainstream stuff…stuff that sounded normal. I’m not sure what drew me to have a listen to their new album, but I’m so glad I did. Kayo Dot is a two-piece multiple-instrument band from New York who released their latest album, Blue Lambency Downward last month.

Kayo Dot seriously does bridge genres; I think one could argue they can fit the post-rock schematics, but I don’t really want to give them that label, mainly because of how different they are from your regular cup o’ post-rock. They really are, at best, described as progressive psychedelic experimental. You can hear all sorts of influences—from classical, to metal, to jazz. If you really dig progressive rock, especially the more experimental bands (Gentle Giant, for example), you’ll dig Kayo Dot for sure. In fact, I actually do like progressive rock, so there was no real reason for me to outcast Kayo Dot in the first place.

Like I mentioned earlier, I used to think their music too chaotic. The instrumentation is very, very complex; it has a way of even sounding too out of tune at times. The chord progression is very disorienting; often times you expect a smooth transition, and instead get something totally dissonant. All of the tracks on Blue Lambency Downward are jam-packed with different instruments, weaving together to form some crazy ass shit. I read this study before, about how dissonant chords enhance a listener’s response in music compared to regular major/minor chords, which is absolutely appropriate in this case. Because of their eclectic sense of instrumentation, you really can’t help but pay attention. Toby Driver’s vocals are equally eclectic and he sings in a disconnecting melody, if a melody at all (in “Clelia Walking,” Driver sings, “I don’t want to be a melody/I prefer the choking sound”…word, man. Word.) One thing I like about Kayo Dot’s music is the implementation of the violin, played by Mia Matsumiya. It’s one of the band’s prime instruments, and it’s played as freaky as the rest of the instruments. On its own, it’s like music fit for a film noir.

Overall, this album is pretty good, but you may need to acquire taste for it. Again, pretty reminiscent of some of the more experimental classic progressive bands I’ve heard, lots of jazz influences…pretty good in my books. The band actually has this album streaming online for free. Click here to have a listen, or listen to some here:

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