Cordalene

Cordalene (Manic Pop Thrill ***1/2). 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 Bach-arach's "My Little Red Book," will.
- Tom Moon

another element that matters more than talent in our sad, sold-out music culture: the cute factor. If you're lucky, you get talent + cute, as in the case of Philly's Cordalene. 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

Raw, yet infectious lo-fi rock n’ roll with punk energy, pop hooks and garage attitude.
- Kings of A&R

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'n'roll from the Philadelphia-based Cordalene. - All Music Guide

Blue is the most instantly engaging EP since Dealership’s Secret American Livingroom from ’98. But before that it was the Pixies’ Come on Pilgrim back in ’87, and being in that lineage is quite an accomplishment. While comparisons can be thrown out left and right, it must be noted that all of the songs somehow sound familiar upon first listen and, more importantly, all those comparisons should be thrown out the window at the same time. However, there’s a question that begs to be answered: If Cordalene could record this in one day, why doesn’t everything else in the record store sound this good? - Matthew R. Perrine

What Cordalene does in the short 15 minutes that make up this EP should probably be considered dangerous: They whip up a batch of catchy, melodic tunes that won’t loosen their grip no matter what you do. A cross between the Monkees, the Ramones and a random sampling of what makes today’s hits today’s hits, Cordalene are a refreshing snort of fine whiskey after a night of PBR. - Jedd Beaudoin

What if OK Go and Pinkerton-era Weezer were to someday fall in love and get married only to find that the only way they could reproduce was if Hot Hot Heat were to carry their baby for them? … Give these guys a year or two and I’ll guarantee they hit it big. One of these days these kids are gonna make their folks real proud.
- decapolis.com

After opening spots with Rooney, it was very easy for the uninitiated to cast Philly pop tarts Cordalene as another pretty-boy no-trick pony, but the awkward thrash and swinging pop music revealed on the group's second self-titled, color-coordinated EP reveals some aspirations for greatness that are not chemically-induced. Exhibiting their new line-up, they've got some of the catchiest songs going in their own little Elvis Costello- and The Cars-influenced niche (see Phantom Planet, etc.), making the perfect whispery croon meet with chopped squeals from guy and guitar alike. "Imaginary" shows all their tricks, with catchy hooks and swift beats that could be Semisonic if Dan Wilson knew how to dance. All the girls will faint and all the boys will get jealous—and Cordalene haven't even made their break yet!
~For Gig History please visit the tour section on www.cordalene.com~
- Rob Macy

These days in indie rock, it’s extremely hard to find a band that can combine aggressiveness and sensitivity. Most bands float way too heavily on either side of the dimension. The good bands usually stay somewhere towards the lower end of the spectrum. It’s a huge deal when a band can separate themselves from their indie peers and end up sounding right square in the middle. It’s even more of a rare feat when said band can combine two emotions in the same song… often.

Cordalene balance themselves between so many genres they can be hard to classify. Mike Kiley’s lyrics have depth and thoughtful honesty, but the music behind those lyrics rock hard enough to give songs that would otherwise sound like ballads some real head-nod appeal. When you throw in the look and that lo-fi edge that all the good Philly bands seem to master these days, you have the makings of the perfect indie rock outfit. The contrast in the styles of the individual members, make them appealing to almost any rock listener. To put it simply, this band is GOOD… but somehow good in a way completely their own.

Cordalene is currently anticipating the release of their first full length LP, The Star Ledger, which is being released on North Carolina label Dalloway Records. Adding to the inevitable success of their album is the fact that these guys are already circuit veterans. They have released several EP’s and have shared the stage with bands such as Weezer, Phantom Planet, My Morning Jacket, Ben Lee, Dashboard Confessional, Rooney, the Comas, Dr. Dog, and the Capitol Years.

- Frshout Media