Music
Press
By Charles Martin
What’s the difference between a believer in Hinduism holed up in an ashram and a practicing Wiccan? A lot, I’d imagine, but musically, not much as it turns out. Kai Sorum was once a classically trained California vocalist until she left the sunshine state and landed in a spiritual commune. She fell into a band named Infinite Bliss and the resulting album, Strange Afternoon, features her impressive vocals that share a lot of the haunting spirituality of Stevie Nicks.
Sorum’s collected a highly skilled group of musicians, but it’s clearly her show as the wavering and sprawling melodies as well as a borderless supply of influences land the band solidly within the Fleetwood Mac end of Adult Contemporary.
The title track showcases the Nicks similarities, but even as they hover over the track, it doesn’t weigh it down. The song is structured cleverly and is very shrewdly produced. The song, as well as the album, has a very professional sheen to it.
“Annie” is the standout, and it shows what this collective of musicians can do well, but also, by comparison, shows were it’s weaknesses lie. In many of the tracks, the lyrics tend to overwhelm the song with a lack of efficiency. In “Annie,” Sorum tells a much more effective and charming love story in half the words. The tight structure then gives the musicians a chance to show their skill rather than fight the vocals for the spotlight.
Adult contemporary listeners aren’t the best at seeking out new music unless Starbucks finds them first. Infinite Bliss is a band that will be flying under the radar, but if they are willing to leave the commune and hit the road hard, they might land themselves in a coffee shop near you. - Indie-Music.com
Review of strange afternoon-
by Infinite Bliss
At first, I didn't know what I should make of this cd. There was a large diarama of styles represented, ranging from Middle-eastern, Latin, World-beat, and Americanna. The production is extremely clean, the lady has a very lovely, sultry voice, but for some reason I couldn't put my finger on, I just didn't feel it. In all honesty, I must admit that several times not only was my attention lost, but I realized I was forgetting I had a cd in the player. At around track number seven I cranked up the volume. That was when this disc really came alive. I felt that in fairness, and all music deserves a fairness before being judged, I should return back to track number one, and give this disc a listen at this new volume level.
This action reaped it's own reward. I could have missed this rare gem if I had chosen to listen at a low volume.
What had easily lost my attention, now seemed foremost in the mix. The lyrics, although simple and quite basic, are rich in imagery. The old addage of the shortest distance between two points definately applies here. I found that these songs said things I've always wanted to say myself, but never said because I didn't know how they would sound coming off my tongue. Synth voices and precussions lost in the mix previously, now provided an atmosphere that had not existed on my first listen. I also noticed the bass had revealed itself as the crazy glue that held this whole scheme together.
That's when I found what the problem was. At a low volume level, the bass guitar only exist as a distant rumble of sorts. More than likely an EQ blunder in the mastering process. Actually, this is very common amongst mastering engineers which play their art with the music at high volume levels.
At any rate, this should be viewed as a simple omission and not reflect upon the band itself, which shows a fresh vision representing a huge amalgamation of mixed cultural beats, and a heart-felt conviction of raw, basic human emotions ranging from childlike love, too loss and anguish.
Conclusion: Strange Afternoon will become one of the cds I often like to share with my friends in a look what I've found show off fashion. Only I will make sure the volume is at the appropriate volume level that makes the band shine for what they truly are.
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer. - EvO:R Reviewer
Review by Amy Lotsburg
Lead singer Kai Sorum has a smooth, groovy voice that glides seemingly effortlessly over the cool tunes.
The songs are interesting and unique though there are hints of other artists I enjoy; I just can’t place my musical finger on who they are. There’s a bit of a 60s psychedelia to the sound. I imagine lava lamps and bead curtains, especially on the title track Strange Afternoon. Cool song.
As I shuffled with this all the other CDs I’m currently reviewing there were many times when I stopped what I was doing to see who the artist was and it was this.
Other stand out songs for me were: “Ask Me to Stay” (probably my favorite), ” Last Eternal Bliss” - Collected Sounds
Discography
"Our America" single released 2008
"Infinite Bliss - Strange Afternoon" full length CD released 2006
"Kai" three song release 1998, produced by Matt Sorum, featured in the movie The Last Marshall.
Photos
Bio
Kai Shanti, formerly Kai Sorum, was born in a small town in PA. She was the last of five in a conservative lower middle class family. The values they held were not her own so she always felt alone.
Musical expression was not encouraged as a form of personal growth but rather as a skill to be perfected and performed to please the folks. It was always classical in the Benson house. There was no Beatles or Rock 'n Roll, so when John Lennon passed away in her mid teens, she was bemused by the emotions her classmates were sharing.
With high school came a desire to sing in a band. But with a voice trained only for choirs or solos in church, it would be a long time before she had the courage to try.
That's where her story begins. After high school she started to search for more meaning and ended up on tour with the Dead. It didn't take her long to figure out that this is where life began. It meant that nothing would ever again stop her from finding her own voice. Now she would see what life means lived on her own dreams. Many a day would be spent contemplating what this means. She didn't know anyone who had followed their dream. That is why she always looked for fame and that is why fame found her.
When the drummer from the biggest touring band in the world called her into his life, she fell in love. But, unfortunately, his dream pummeled her own. And if fame meant listening to someone else's version of happiness, selling records to not get shelved, and being told that at thirty you're too old, it was time to move on.
Now the search went inward to the very core of her soul. It was a path that was familiar and ancient. It was home. This time the music was emerging from a spark of a fire that was lit long ago. A voice emerging with the primordial vibrations of the earth and an angel waiting to be heard.
So many times she wished that voice would arise and carry her through the abyss of personalities, egos and politics in the music business. There must be a bridge. There must be a sound that would reach the longing that lies at the root of everyone's soul.
For Kai, music is the search for this.
Links
