It has been well over two years since we last heard from The Broken Beats, the vessel for singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Kim Munk’s creative output. Carried not least by superb single ‘Essentials’ the debut, ‘In The Ruin For The Perfect’ (2006), was packed with inventive, orchestral pop-rock with equal measures of catchy brilliance and flakey experiments, some of which worked well and some didn’t.

With the second effort, ‘You’re Powerful, Beautiful And Extrodinary’ (yes, that’s how he spells it), it is no different and there is no doubt that this is Munk and his Broken Beats when opening track ‘The Rules’ hit you. Powered by pumping acoustic guitar, ace choir and a high-flying string arrangement, it’s the flirtatious and bewitching sister we didn’t know ‘Essentials’ had (but will be more than happy to date).

‘Pay The Prize’ and ‘Into The Sunshine’ follow that lead, however in a slightly less manic tempo and with piano, Fender Rhodes and Hammond taking over from the strings. Second to last song ‘Another Way’ almost brings us back to where it all began, before closing ballad ‘Solitude’ gives us a beautiful Lennon/McCartney moment.

As hinted, Munk and The Broken Beats never shy away from the (quirky) experiment and in ‘Revolution In Paradise’ and ‘Enemies Turn To Stone’ the mix between trademark orchestral pop-rock and dark indierock elements works really well. The curious breakbeat in the verse of ‘Watch The Beauty Fall’ and the thumping rock in ‘Easily’, however, does not.

I guess that’s the price you pay when going out on a limb, but even with the failed experiments (and the misspellings in the lyrics) ‘You’re Powerful, Beautiful And Extrodinary’ again proves that Kim Munk is one of a flamboyant kind with a great ear for the captivating.

Genre: Rock
Who: The Broken Beats
Album: I Don’t Care
Label: A:larm Music
Year: 2009
Country: Denmark
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
The Rules – Into The Sunshine – Enemies Turn To Stone – Pay The Prize – Solitude