Kamikaze Baby

By Brendan Murphy

These funky Italians (well, they all have Italian names) have been busy doing their thing, recently selling out Kola Note with very little advance press. This self-released EP is spacey jam-funk rock, and a solid debut, though this is where we switch into Simon Cowell mode. There's no denying they can all play their instruments, but the songs suffer from too much stop and start, and the lyrics are forgettable. Vocalist Robert Scalia has his moments, but given my aversion to moody torch singers, it needs to be reined in and the effects turned down. Given their obvious drive, though, they should be around long enough to release some better albums.

http://www.hour.ca/music/spin.aspx?iIDDisque=3515 - The Hour Magazine

By Lateef Martin

It's satisfying to find a group that's hard to compare to others. I might note Radiohead and The Mars Volta as influences, but I'd rather say Montreal's Kamikaze Baby should open for them. I'd call their music urgent, but it's also contemplative. Lush without being overbearing, singer Robert Scalia's voice is supported by a busy yet not confusing dynamic. Identity Crisis, an EP of seven songs, explores the kinetic groove and, dare I say, original approach that'll take these boys far. Looking forward to catching them live, with or without Radiohead. 8.5/10

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2006/033006/disc.html - The Mirror Magazine

Kamikaze Baby plan on taking you with them

by LATEEF MARTIN

Purveyors of urgent rock with the kinetic energy of At the Drive-In and Radiohead, Kamikaze Baby are set to raise the stakes for the double-0 seven. Although only an EP, Identity Crisis turned out to be one of the best local rock records of 2006, homing in on delusion, wasted chances and self-destruction. A tight album and Internet savvy (with little help from the press) paved the way to a sold-out show at Kola Note and tours in Ontario and the Maritimes.

“Identity Crisis was just that,” explains songwriter/singer/guitarist Rob Scalia. “We knew we were a band that was somewhat unsure about how to fit in. So we decided we were going to exploit that. The EP was dark, energetic, groovy, sometimes complicated but with a fractured beauty to it. The new album is going to be a lot different, a lot more personal and emotional—coming to terms with our own lives while still trying to make sense of the world around us. More honest and unfiltered, given that we no longer feel like we have anyone standing in our way.”

Scalia, with a little help from their engineer/producer/sparkplug Coco (who plays with Scalia’s brother in Fly Amanita), guitarist Derek Orsi, bassist Angelo Ruscitti and drummer Giulio Pampena are busy writing and recording material for the aforementioned new album. “We’ve made our mistakes, taken some hits on the road and, unfortunately, have lost some band members along the way. But our last tour in Ontario, in September, was actually the most successful. It made us realize that despite all the hardships of touring in a van, we were getting through to people. Oddly enough, we’ve never felt as kamikaze about our baby as we do right now.

- The Montreal Mirror - Noisemakers 2007

By Kiel Burwell

Want something beautiful yet bold, edgy and raw in music? Well then, I suggest you check out Montreal's indie rockers Kamikaze Baby and their debut: Identity Crisis.

First off: Don't mistake this for Thrice's debut record, it's nothing of the sort. K.B.'s music reeks of potential, and is a soothing, grooving, funky mess of countless great genres, both current and classic. It's collection of 7 tracks that range from a funk/experimental mix all the way to some jazzy, indie rock influanced tune and everything in between.
While most rock acts these days are just trying to do simply what's cool, it's a breathe of fresh air to hear a band like Kamikazy Baby attempt something so genre bending and promising to the Canadian indie rock scene.

Identity Crisis will move and shake you, and how can I forget the fact that it'll certainly kill your craving for a good rock record. Check this out!


http://www.review4u.org/reviews.php?id=476 - www.review4u.org

By Karla Homolka Teale

I love this band's sound. This CD delivers some of the prettiest rock music I've heard since the new wave 80's, to which Kamikaze Baby bears at least some auditory resemblance, although they are way too creative and unique to be easily placed in any one genre alone. They dance lightly in and around several "identities" while remaining deftly different from them all. Identity Crisis is a virtual modern alternative rock symphony. Each song is a brightly polished gemstone, full of guitar chord flashes, intelligent keyboard facets, perfect percussion presence, and dreamlike lyrical poetry phrased and framed by simply beautiful vocals. The lyrical imagery reflects the soul of a poet, and the melodic vocals are so pure and sweet that I was transported by their elegantly graceful ebb and flow, but Kamikaze Baby also has enough metal edges and power to rock when need be and the song's mood calls for the baby to kick, although even their toughest tunes still harbor a heartstoppingly sublime subtlety and style all their own. Every song conjures up a different atmosphere and mood, but each one ends up delivering the goose bump glories, and all with a fresh new style and brio. Atmospheric mood rock to stir your soul and set your spirit free. Sensitive intensity pours forth on Identity Crisis like vintage wine from four Kamikaze Baby music masters who have delivered a seven sweet song suite. Well done!

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=51418017&blogID=103673746&MyToken=517371fe-8d65-41da-9c00-5c03196eac0d - Ken and Barbie Killers

By Ric Taylor

“There are a lot of things in this world that bother us: Dr. Phil, US
foreign policy, indie music by bands who can't keep time or write
anything original,” muses vocalist Robert Scalia of Montreal’s
Kamikaze Baby on what’s wrong with the human condition.
As the frontman for one of the newer bands from that city,
Scalia and his band were adamant about a mission statement –
content would rule over style, and the message was worth dying
for.

Well, perhaps things aren’t that drastic, but culling the band
moniker from one of their own songs, “Time’s A Wasting”,
Kamikaze Baby seem to meld an urgency of philosophical and
musical reflection - vehemently wanting to make an impact
regardless of consequence.
Kamikaze Baby seemed destined to try and stay away from
the Montreal buzz bands exported recently. The Stills, The Dears,
The Unicorns and Arcade Fire have all brought a spotlight onto
the city’s underground scene in recent years but for Scalia, the
city doesn’t offer much inspiration.

“To be honest, it hasn't,” confides Scalia. “Well, maybe the
city itself - in terms of architecture and sex shops - but not the
indie scene that is supposed to be inclusive and open to bands of
all styles.”

Recently releasing their sophomore CDEP, Identity Crisis, Kamikaze Baby meld jagged guitar chops and pulsating dance beats with Scalia’s dramatic vocal approach - conjuring up images of The Mars Volta, The Arctic Monkeys or even The Smoking Popes. Comparisons aside, there is an intangible quality to the music of Kamikaze Baby that might partially achieve distancing
themselves from the pack – if only their own inner struggle to avoid cliché.

“The title of the CD was a little reflective of how we felt as
we were recording the EP, what with all the pressures that go
along with trying to be a viable artist in our pitch-corrected
cookie-cutter world,” explains Scalia. “At the same time, it was also a play on our own musical approach of constantly having
people telling us that we can't be classified or marketed.”

“I actually like the Arctic Monkeys, I would just never like to write a whole album that sounded like them,” clarifies Scalia. “Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Pink Floyd, Queen, James Brown, Tom Waits, Nirvana, Debussy. Basically any band that challenged people during their time and weren't fully appreciated until later in their careers are our type of bands.”

“I don't think we're the most original band around,” adds the
singer. “I would say, however, that bands that try to push the envelope usually end up becoming crazy jam bands like Mars Volta that don't feel the need to write tight song structures. That’s fine, but we still want to write songs that people can sing to - kind of like later period Beatles...except we’re not that talented.”

So as Kamikaze Baby leaves home base and flies out on a tour of Ontario, fans can be forced to expect the unexpected.

While songs may meander into an ebb and flow of crystalline
guitar shards and danceable rhythms, the wait for that dynamic
crescendo is the pay off. And as Scalia would hope to avoid the
band being lumped into the categories of alternative, art rock or even the more recent trend of dance punk it seems the plan of
musical attack might be the most important part of the Kamikaze
Baby message.

“We've actually become quite comfortable with the term experimental rock,” smiles Scalia. “Alternative is too Nickelback for us - by the way, you can add them to the list of things wrong with the human condition. And we're not dance punk yet,
although we do seem to be leaning toward heavy grooves of the
dance floor variety.

“To tell you the truth, we are constantly trying to figure out
how best to capture audiences,” muses the singer on the translation of their music to the live stage. “Although we can be very hypnotic at times, short attention spans tend to make rocking out a more comfortable alternative. Basically, we think the magic really happens in the live show and we take a lot of pride in playing our instruments and making sure the crowd leaves reeling.”

http://www.pulseniagara.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2454 - Pulse Niagara

By Jennifer Larriviere

Kamikaze Baby performed at Clyde’s to a packed in, hyped-up, young crowd. Their stage presence isn’t lacking, nor their effort or talent, but some refinement would be useful for these young guys, as I felt they were playing only for their friends and forgetting the rest of the crowd. There needs to be balance between having fun playing a show, and the seriousness of playing a gig. That aside…

The lead singer had strong vocals through melodic changes, but I couldn’t help be distracted by his resemblance to America Idol Justin Guarini, a cutie but seriously uncanny, as I waited in fear for Simon and Paula to bust into the bar for judging.

The Kamikaze Baby sound can be described as, what I now dub, “The ‘Soundtrack’ to Classy Porn” or “The ‘Soundtrack’ to a Shaggtacular Night”, as they create a mélange of jazz, blues, rock, funk, and pop all rolled into one. You can’t help but want to hear their songs while frolicking in bed, as the songs slow down… speed up… and get really funky…would make for an interesting night I’m sure!

Their self-titled album is filled with smooth songs and lyrics that actually have intelligent thought put into them, with connotative meanings and advanced diction; another impressive feat, a blending of smart words with stylish music.

It was overall a good performance, and the band has a type of sound not heard enough in Montreal. With gigs already lined up for March, check them out at www.kamikazebaby.com for news, info and pics (you’ll see, he looks like Justin!) and don’t forget to get a copy of their CD.

http://www.montrealmusicscene.com/reviews/kamikazebaby-feb242005.html - www.montrealmusicscene.com

September 11, 2008
by Steve Lalla

Layers of languid guitar, challenging strong structures and an intense yet easygoing psychedelic indie rock vibe is the plat du jour for local five-piece Kamikaze Baby, who, with Uptown VineRise, present their long awaited debut full-length. Though independently released, thanks to great mixing by Glen Robinson and mastering by the esteemed Howie Weinberg (Smashing Pumpkins, Modest Mouse, Ween) the production shines throughout. Uptown VineRise succeeds in the ambitious task of seamlessly blending emotive vocals and melodies with unconventional songwriting techniques, extended instrumental passages and panoramic soundscape backdrops, bearing comparison to the more sombre moments of such genre giants as Radiohead, At The Drive-In or Arcade Fire. 4/5

- The Hour

15 septembre 2008
Laurence Lepage

Démarré à Montréal fin 2004, d’abord décrit par ses créateurs comme une «trame sonore pour porno classe», graduellement devenu du «jam-funk lunatique», et en 2008, cet album concept. Les paroles de quatre des chansons sont sur leur blog, directement liées à différents sites, tous plus engagés et parlants les uns que les autres. Des extraits de l’excellent Waking Life, un petit film (I Met The Walrus de Josh Raskin), entrevue audio de John Lennon magnifiquement habillée et d’autres images et textes. Une musique mélodique, classique formation guitares-basse-voix-batterie bien exploitée, un peu de claviers. Remarquez les nuances d’intensité et la recherche vocale, une réalisation marquée. Juste le nom du groupe qui n’évoque pas l’esprit de la chose… (LL)
- BangBangTeMort

Between their debut EP, Identity Crisis, and this strong, introspective full-length, blistering with originality and urgency, 2007 Noisemakers Kamikaze Baby have been down a road of lost guitarists and new paths, breaking down and building up. The EP’s “Time’s a Wasting” reappears here with a somber, slower lurch, as if things have gotten worse. But Kamikaze Baby has only gotten better, expanding on their sound with solid production and engaging musical forays, separating them more and more from their influences. 8/10 - Lateef Martin) - The Montreal Mirror