Album Review: Passion Pit-Kindred

Kindred In Spirit

Passion Pit: Kindred
(6.4/10)








Being Kindred is similar/related, so it is actually a pretty appropriate title for a Passion Pit album. Although I do enjoy Michael Angelakos's music for the most part, I wouldn't say it evolves very much at all. Perhaps this is the biggest problem with Kindred. Everything here seems so familiar for me, and it does not seem necessary for me to listen to at times. Manners was a stunning album, and Gossamer was a solid follow up, but I will admit that these albums are both relatively forgettable. What I mean by this is that I enjoy it thoroughly while listening to it, but all the tracks can't really cement themselves inside my head. This thread certainly continues on this album, but for different reasons. Kindred is nowhere near as musical or lyrical as their previous releases, but it has a very fun, light hearted attitude to it that I can really appreciate. Kindred may not be the most stellar album in the repertoire, but it is certainly not boring. Entertainment value aside, this album does have a lot of issues though, and it would feel wrong not to address them.

My main issues with this album is its reluctancy to do anything new. These things just all kind of feel like rehashes of older tunes, and while some of them are good rehashes, it would be nice to hear some unique experimentation. Perhaps the only glimpse of experimentation on this thing is the closing track Ten Feet Tall. Sadly, this song is way too sugar coated in auto-tune and synths, and it is by far the worst track on here. It also is just a sequel to a better track earlier in the album. Also this track does not dig as deep into Michael's personal side as other releases. Tracks where we get more sentimental/emotional approaches are amongst the best tracks on here, so it is really upsetting that we do not get more of that. The first five tracks are all fun, but I would trade almost all of them away for another Dancing On The Grave or My Brother Taught Me How To Swim. Both of these tracks feel the most real to Angelakos. These songs are some of his most personal to date, and I feel like these songs are some of the band's most potent work. A lot the other songs are just pop songs, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but when you have the capability to make emotional music, why make something that is kind of dimmed down for the masses? It just kind of frustrates me. The album as a whole is really fun to listen to, and it certainly isn't bad, but it is simply not as enthralling as their previous efforts. Their other albums are more emotive, hooky, and creative. Passion Pit did not fail in making this album, but they certainly need to change their approach up if they want to stay relevant.

Overall, if you want some fun light-hearted pop music, than this thing is still a pretty good album. If you are like me, and you loved their prior efforts, than you may be a little disappointed with this release, but there is still some stuff to enjoy on here. There is nothing shocking on this album, but Passion Pit can still right very catchy tunes. While this album wasn't my favorite, I still believe this band has the capability to make another great album. They haven't went full Matt & Kim on us.

Best Songs: Dancing On The Grave, My Brother Taught Me How To Swim, Where The Sky Hangs, Looks Like Rain, Lifted Up

Worst Songs: Ten Feet Tall, Whole Life Story, Five Foot Ten, Until We Can't, All I Want