Album Details

• Artist: Kiss Kiss
• Album: Reality Vs. The Optimist
• Label: Eyeball Records
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: symphony on 2007-02-06

Media

When hype is your middle name, you better deliver. When you are marketed nearly six months before your release date is finalized, you better deliver. Delivery is a vital part of releasing a new album, because if you hype and market your album relentlessly and it falls short of expectations then the result is pretty easy to grasp. But Kiss Kiss can sleep easy tonight and for many after, because they delivered, my word, did they deliver.

Reality Vs. The Optimist is definitely a progression in talent, maturity, in everything for Kiss Kiss. The lyrical development is spectacular, the musical development is almost phenomenal.

The stunning thing about Joshua Benash's voice is the amount of control he has. The ability to go in and out of scream ("Janet," "Vagabond," "Sluts In Suits/Dress Up") is spectacular and really adds flavor to each song. Not only that, but the scream isn't irritatingly loud; it's very collected and calculated and, when used, it always seem to place emphasis on the part he wants out there the most.

The synth, violin, and sound effects are pretty prevalent on this album and really make Kiss Kiss unique. Sometimes, you'll find the sound effects unnecessary and sometimes it makes a song sound a little cluttered--though it doesn't take away from the song. Most of the time, however, it works ("Machines," "Satellite") and hands out amazing results.

The guitars are spectacular through the album. From sounding ska-like and then melting into classic rock-like tempo ("Sluts In Suits/Dress Up") takes alot of skill. The drumming is also spectacular. It definitely alot of flavor to alot of songs with intricate patterns and spectacular build ups.

The only sad thing about this album is its length. A meager 32 minutes is all you get. However, the lasting value is spectacular. You will be repeating this constantly. It's a must have.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2009-04-17 mountaloha Said:

Maybe I'm not hearing this album like everyone else, but I just didn't find any lasting value in it. There are some good points though, so not a complete disappointment.
Rating: 6/10

on 2008-05-10 Neesh Said:

"Reality Vs. The Optimist" is my favorite debut LP to come out in 2007. From the moment it begins until the moment it ends, the album is a complete journey. A masterpiece. The briefness left me wanting more and more and more, but instead I just played the album again. Really amazing stuff. I'm eagerly anticipating their follow-up, which seems to be plagued by technical difficultites
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-03-02 hstisgod Said:

a five star EP? I heard a song or two when you recommended it last month...I liked it, and will rec to a few ppl. Gonna keep an eye out for this...
Rating: 8/10