Cordalene is a heroin overdose shy of their own Behind the Music special. Their story is not uncommon; music industry drama, line up changes, etc. Whatever…
What makes Cordalene special is not that they have faced difficulties, but rather that they are still here. It’s what the good artists do. They stick around, they adapt, they become more resilient and mature in the face of adversity.
With the release of their first full-length LP, Cordalene has emerged as one of the bedrocks in the Philadelphia indie scene. A guilding member of a music community that is threatening to tear through the ceiling.
The Star Ledger, released on Dalloway Records, is ambitious in it’s attempt to blend charming pop ballads, with garage rock sensability and dance floor instinct. The result is a suprisingly complete package that often flows like a nicely sewn narrative.
Singer/guitarist Mike Kiley is at his best on this album in the slower, twangy, songs that allow him to be most expressive. The best example of his vocal talent is showcased on The Lightning Song, perhaps the albums best overall track. In this song Kiley hollers “I hope I’m killed by lightning..”, in a manner that could single-handedly open the clouds and make the sky go boom. Another great moment on The Star Ledger is the song, If you didnt love me. During the last 2 or 3 minutes, the band takes us all to church and testifys before the congregation once and for all that they are more than good looks and tight jeans. These boys have some soul, and more importantly heart. Luckily for the listener, it bleeds all over the album.
Overall, Cordalene deserves credit for meshing the qualities of classic rock and bands like The Foo Fighters, The Strokes , Kings of Leon , and Bright Eyes into a singular style. It’s something that few bands this decade have attempted, yet alone pulled off..all inclusive indie. When listening to the album I get the feeling that Cordalene hasn’t quite arrived at the place they can reach musically, but The Star Ledger is defintely a huge step forward in the right direction.
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July 4th, 2006 at 10:53 pm
i like it! i like smiley faces!