Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Like razor sharp cotton candy, Cordalene’s release features a range of vocals and rhythms that have just enough of a dangerous edge to balance out their sweetness. Frontman Mike Kiley’s lyrics, meanwhile, get better and better with each listen; on “Imaginary,” he sings of a summer fling with enough wit and sincerity in his voice to make the clichéd concept sound like it’s never been covered before. Equally impressive are the catchy riffs of “Would It Have Killed You (To Kiss Me Just Once)?” that will leave the chorus stuck in your head for days. Vicki Siolos-CMJ New Music Report - CMJ New Music Report
The local quartet is poised to blow up big, for two reasons. First, they've got Mike Kiley as lead singer, who--along with solid songwriting skills and a soulful voice--is undeniably Teen magazine material. Second, they've got the chops to back Kiley up, with Jamie Olson on guitar, Jim McGuinn on bass and Joe Boyle on drums. Cordalene's music is peppery, full-throttle rock 'n' roll that has smart-guy airplay appeal. Liz Spikol-Philadelphia Weekly
- Philadelphia City Paper
The four bracing originals on this second Cordalene EP combine the best of rowdy rock and accomplished power-pop: They're twitchy in an early new-wave way, but unlike so much new wave, never fey. Tracks such as the two-minute "Ghost" hurtle along on the strength of jabbing guitars and Mike Kiley's bratty, don't-give-a-damn vocals. If the originals don't make you want a full-length album out of Cordalene, the bonus track, a genius reworking of Burt Bacharach's "My Little Red Book," will. Tom Moon-Philadelphia Inquirer
- Philadelphia Inquirer
Throw XTC's first album, the Jam's first album, Gang of Four's first two albums, and maybe one or two Weezer singles into a blender, and you'd end up with something that sounds kind of like this bracing blast of jagged rock & roll from the Philadelphia-based Cordalene. Rick Anderson-AMG - American Music Guide
Discography
Red ep (2002), Blue ep (2003), both on our own lable, Manic Pop Thrill.
"Imaginary" (off blue ep), on Warped Tour 2003 comp.
Several Tracks from the blue ep received radio play, charting #30 CMJ, #15 specialty radio in 2003-4.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
If you watch Cordalene live, they will keep you guessing. Songs can range anywhere from a three minute radio single, to a one minute blast of ranting, to a seven minute epic about loss. We consiously try to make music that sounds like nothing you have ever heard before. That is our goal.
We are about to go record our first full length album, and it will be worlds apart from the two eps we have listed below. Those are documents of a band finding itself. This next record will finally sound like a new band, instead of a good band who has songs that sound like such and such. These new songs can sound like INXS, Wilco, and Sly and the Family Stone all at once. Mostly, what you are going to hear is four people playing music that they love, because it is theirs. You are going to see and hear a great frontman, with a powerfull voice, who will connect his lyrics to an audience on first listen. And it's gonna make you dance, think, and wonder.
Links
