Mike Krol - Power Chords

by Steve Kinrade

published: 22 / 2 / 2019

Label: Merge Records
Format: CD

Exhilarating indie guitar rock on fourth album from New York-based singer-songwriter Mike Krol

Review

The greatest thing about releasing music on a physical format is that the art becomes tangible and referenced, and not just something that “drops” (to use the current vernacular) out of the musical ether and onto your streaming music provider of choice - be it Spotify, Apple or Amazon. To echo our once favourite Steven, “Napster - so much to answer for”. I have a mounting dislike of the CD format, which increases with age and failing eyesight - but vinyl...From an art aspect, there is so much “landscape” to sweat those visual assets onto... Which brings me to Mike Krol's fourth album 'Power Chords' - which in no way could be accused of undermining the trades description act. It is what it is. But first the front cover, which could in years tocome well prove to be iconic. It depicts Mr Krol sitting on a bed in what could pass for a mid 1970’s English bedroom. He sports a corker of a black eye, and guitar in hand, perhaps to eagerly seek the truth via those three chords. I like to think that this is Krol as a time -traveller, who has just got home after surviving a tear-up at London’s 100 Club, a venue at the very heart of the UK punk explosion. Or, it could be CBGBs. It really is of no consequence, as Krol with 'Power Chords' really has set the controls to the heart of the matter. This latest musical offering is absolutely back to basics with no nonsense permitted. Although the musical palate maybe limited sonically, a well constructed song can really, however, survive anything thrown at it. Through the industrial splintered guitar of 'An Ambulance' shines a pretty cool song, and 'Little Drama' a satisfying collision of The Damned’d 'New Rose' and Sugar during their 'Copper Blue' triumph. And spirits of the Ramones who have past nod sagely, giving more credibility to the project. The track 'Blue and Pink' ups the production notch a tad, but remains within the general manifesto of 'Power Chords'. Krol’s label, Merge Records, states that music both ruined his life and saved it, and to aid this renewal process the album was made in Nashville and Wisconsin. Produced on message by Mike McCarthy (Spoon), the album was enhanced by contributions by the likes of Allison Crutchfield, John Schmersal and Elliot Kozel. 'Power Chords' is an album of catharsis for Kroll - an excuse to vent all those feelings that have been bottled up inside, as Krol himself says “Bottling up all your anger until one day it explodes”. This is an album that will richly appeal to his core constituency, as well as at the same time commandeering new fans to the cause.

Track Listing:-

1 Power Chords
2 What’s the Rhythm
3 An Ambulance
4 Little Drama
5 Left for Dead
6 Blue and Pink
7 I Wonder
8 Wasted Memory
9 Nothing to Yell About
10 Arrow in My Heart
11 The End