I’m beginning to feel like I’m repeating myself these days. Probably because I am, but fact is that I have to, because here’s another Danish band who’s had massive expectations hanging over their heads and who have changed their ways, although not thoroughly, since we last heard from them three years ago. As revealed above we’re talking about The Kissaway Trail and their – I’ll say it right away – excellent second full length, ‘Sleep Mountain’.

Produced by the band and mixed by Peter Katis (The National, Interpol) it’s still curious, orchestral rock with soulmates in Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev, but compared to the eponymous debut it’s strikingly consistent and slightly darker in sound and vision (that would be the “change” bit). The latter perhaps in part as a result of unsuccessful first recording sessions as far back as 2008 that almost killed off the band.

The trademark dual vocals by principal songwriters Søren Corneliussen and Thomas Fagerlund stand out as a general highlight, conveying the inherent melancholy with more variation and emotion than before, along with Hasse Mydtskov’s zealous drumming throughout the album. The Kissaway Trail are aiming high but do so with talent to match their ambitions, and I’d be surprised if I don’t find myself returning to ‘Sleep Mountain’ on a regular basis this year. It really is a quite beautiful place…

Genre: Rock
Who: The Kissaway Trail
Album: Sleep Mountain
Label: Playground Music/Bella Union
Year: 2010
Country: Denmark
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
SDP – New Year – Don’t Wake Up – Beat Your Heartbeat – New Lipstick – Enemy