The Carnival Kids

The Carnival Kids – The Carnival Kids
(Musik & Film) Debuut van indieband uit New York. Spil van het vijftal is Adam Ciminello. Deze multi-instrumentalist/producer was het zat om steeds in de schaduw van anderen te staan en begon zijn eigen band in 2012. Met de liedjes is niets mis. Sterker nog, single Bitter Holding en opener Daily Miracle nestelen zich meteen in je hoofd. En ook tussen de andere songs zitten zeker fijne popliedjes. Poppy en pakkend, dat zijn de termen die de muziek van Carnival Kids het best typeren. Jammer dat de gladde toetsenpartijen de overhand hebben. Wie van een vuig en smerig bandje houdt, haalt daarom waarschijnlijk zijn neus op voor deze Amerikanen. Liefhebbers van boeiende meezingliedjes vallen hier zeker geen buil aan. Lekker plaatje ook voor in auto. Wedden dat je steeds harder gaat scheuren? Leon Weterings - Start Me Up - Leon Weterings

The Carnival Kids – The Carnival Kids
(Musik & Film) Debuut van indieband uit New York. Spil van het vijftal is Adam Ciminello. Deze multi-instrumentalist/producer was het zat om steeds in de schaduw van anderen te staan en begon zijn eigen band in 2012. Met de liedjes is niets mis. Sterker nog, single Bitter Holding en opener Daily Miracle nestelen zich meteen in je hoofd. En ook tussen de andere songs zitten zeker fijne popliedjes. Poppy en pakkend, dat zijn de termen die de muziek van Carnival Kids het best typeren. Jammer dat de gladde toetsenpartijen de overhand hebben. Wie van een vuig en smerig bandje houdt, haalt daarom waarschijnlijk zijn neus op voor deze Amerikanen. Liefhebbers van boeiende meezingliedjes vallen hier zeker geen buil aan. Lekker plaatje ook voor in auto. Wedden dat je steeds harder gaat scheuren? Leon Weterings - Start Me Up - Leon Weterings

It sure took a while to listen through the 16 track debut album from Adam Ciminello aka The Carnival Kids, this would´ve been a double album back in the vinyl days. But I am impressed by the high quality of the album´s 16 songs, I can only find a couple of filler tracks like the rap flavored pop of "As I might seem" and the mediocre "Save my love". The rest is soo good, The Carnival Kids is an album of 70´s pop meets 90´s modern rock with traces of soul. Imagine Paul Carrack collaborating with Five For Fighting and the spirit of Billy Joel. I just love the opening track "Daily miracle" where Adam Ciminello´s vocal harmonies are right on spot, not to mention the following "Bitter holding" which is my favorite track at the moment. Upbeat stadium pop that will make any crowd stand up and cheer along, other highlights are "Hey California" and "Pretty words" where my thoughts go to Swirl 360. This album will be available in February. - RothnRoll

It sure took a while to listen through the 16 track debut album from Adam Ciminello aka The Carnival Kids, this would´ve been a double album back in the vinyl days. But I am impressed by the high quality of the album´s 16 songs, I can only find a couple of filler tracks like the rap flavored pop of "As I might seem" and the mediocre "Save my love". The rest is soo good, The Carnival Kids is an album of 70´s pop meets 90´s modern rock with traces of soul. Imagine Paul Carrack collaborating with Five For Fighting and the spirit of Billy Joel. I just love the opening track "Daily miracle" where Adam Ciminello´s vocal harmonies are right on spot, not to mention the following "Bitter holding" which is my favorite track at the moment. Upbeat stadium pop that will make any crowd stand up and cheer along, other highlights are "Hey California" and "Pretty words" where my thoughts go to Swirl 360. This album will be available in February. - RothnRoll

THE CARNIVAL KIDS "BITTER HOLDING" (AMAZON / i-TUNES)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? Piano based drama that's been at the sugary treats.
Massively, but pleasingly over produced, so you know that you won't
be waiting for the word 'pop' too long, but never mind my miserable old
brain, ''Bitter Holding'' is a puppy bright rush through a mass of pop
tricks and sounds absolutely fabulous, like Jimmy Webb couldn't wait
for the rain and is taking a blowtorch to that damn cake.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, ''Bitter Holding'' is both a slap in the chops for
the Keane / Coldplay axis and a lovely bit of work. - Unpeeled

THE CARNIVAL KIDS "BITTER HOLDING" (AMAZON / i-TUNES)
RELEASED? Out now.
SOUNDS LIKE? Piano based drama that's been at the sugary treats.
Massively, but pleasingly over produced, so you know that you won't
be waiting for the word 'pop' too long, but never mind my miserable old
brain, ''Bitter Holding'' is a puppy bright rush through a mass of pop
tricks and sounds absolutely fabulous, like Jimmy Webb couldn't wait
for the rain and is taking a blowtorch to that damn cake.
IS IT ANY GOOD? Yes, ''Bitter Holding'' is both a slap in the chops for
the Keane / Coldplay axis and a lovely bit of work. - Unpeeled

The Carnival Kids is an alternative/indie rock project formed by songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer Adam Ciminello in August 2012. Their self titled debut album is a mammoth 16 songs about love and escapism.

Album opener ‘Daily Miracle’ is going for a grand sound with the pounding drum beat taking the lead. The lead singer takes centre stage on vocals but is supported by a chorus of voices to create this feeling of being larger than life. The lyrics themselves look towards an inspirational, motivational theme about making changes.

Across the album the songs attempt to show a different side to their style. ‘Drive me’ is a song that feels like the band are jamming together. It is funky bass driven track with the fusion of the guitars, keyboards and bass grooving away to the story telling vocals. ‘Hey California’ shows a rattling high speed escapists journey running away within the song. The drums and piano bound along dragging you in their direction.

‘Pretty Words’ on the other hand is a nostalgic track about the journey between past and present. The twinkle of the keyboards introduces the song and then there is that familiar burst of guitars and drums to launch the fraught emotion bound up in the lyrics. ‘Where Were We Going’ has a space vibe to it with the elongated keyboard notes going on into the distance. The piano hits the right emotional note with another track eager to pore over the pain of the past.

‘Straight Down The Road’ much like the album opener is eager to have a grand feel with a towering chorus that booms in between the more mellow verses where the drums and guitar set the slower tempo. It is rather upbeat with the swanky guitar and vocals giving it a bluesy feel. They continue with their upbeat style in tracks like ‘Hit My Head’ which is jaunty with its quirky keyboard sounds and the light hearted skipping beat of the drums.

One track that sets itself aside from the others is ‘As I Might Seem’, where the vocalist adopts a different vocal style and gives off a more relaxed, cool feeling. The vocals mix between rapping and being laid back. It felt a bit summery with its more positive message in the lyrics combining with the glide of the keyboard and drums together.

This album for me seemed unnecessarily long as it felt like they could have cut out a couple of songs and the overall piece of work would not have been made any worse for it. The songs themselves being rather long running, anywhere up to 6 minutes, made listening to an album of 16 tracks rather more hard work than usual. That is not to say that the underlying sound of this band does not have its merit. Their heart felt emotional ride that they take you on provides some up tempo American pop rock songs that would fit quite well on a teen drama show! - 7Bit Arcade

The Carnival Kids is an alternative/indie rock project formed by songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer Adam Ciminello in August 2012. Their self titled debut album is a mammoth 16 songs about love and escapism.

Album opener ‘Daily Miracle’ is going for a grand sound with the pounding drum beat taking the lead. The lead singer takes centre stage on vocals but is supported by a chorus of voices to create this feeling of being larger than life. The lyrics themselves look towards an inspirational, motivational theme about making changes.

Across the album the songs attempt to show a different side to their style. ‘Drive me’ is a song that feels like the band are jamming together. It is funky bass driven track with the fusion of the guitars, keyboards and bass grooving away to the story telling vocals. ‘Hey California’ shows a rattling high speed escapists journey running away within the song. The drums and piano bound along dragging you in their direction.

‘Pretty Words’ on the other hand is a nostalgic track about the journey between past and present. The twinkle of the keyboards introduces the song and then there is that familiar burst of guitars and drums to launch the fraught emotion bound up in the lyrics. ‘Where Were We Going’ has a space vibe to it with the elongated keyboard notes going on into the distance. The piano hits the right emotional note with another track eager to pore over the pain of the past.

‘Straight Down The Road’ much like the album opener is eager to have a grand feel with a towering chorus that booms in between the more mellow verses where the drums and guitar set the slower tempo. It is rather upbeat with the swanky guitar and vocals giving it a bluesy feel. They continue with their upbeat style in tracks like ‘Hit My Head’ which is jaunty with its quirky keyboard sounds and the light hearted skipping beat of the drums.

One track that sets itself aside from the others is ‘As I Might Seem’, where the vocalist adopts a different vocal style and gives off a more relaxed, cool feeling. The vocals mix between rapping and being laid back. It felt a bit summery with its more positive message in the lyrics combining with the glide of the keyboard and drums together.

This album for me seemed unnecessarily long as it felt like they could have cut out a couple of songs and the overall piece of work would not have been made any worse for it. The songs themselves being rather long running, anywhere up to 6 minutes, made listening to an album of 16 tracks rather more hard work than usual. That is not to say that the underlying sound of this band does not have its merit. Their heart felt emotional ride that they take you on provides some up tempo American pop rock songs that would fit quite well on a teen drama show! - 7Bit Arcade

The Carnival Kids from Poughkeepsie, NY have issued their first single ‘Bitter Holding’ – from their self-titled debut album (to be released in 2013). It is available now.

The Carnival Kids is an alternative/indie rock project formed in August 2012 by songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and producer Adam Ciminello (keyboardist/songwriter for Silentypes)

We listened to ‘Bitter Holding‘ and here’s what we thought:

Starting with gesturing keyboards, a gushing voice steps in – as sprightly as a mountain ram. The voice strides manfully through the scene, a vessell of power and majesty, until it emerges spendidly into clear view. A glorious abundance of arrangements shine, and these create golden doodles onto every glossy surface.

This song rumbles along operatically , like a streaming waterfall, filling parts of the heart that need tempering with such a fresh water blessing. - Neil Mach - Raw Ramp Music Mag

The Carnival Kids from Poughkeepsie, NY have issued their first single ‘Bitter Holding’ – from their self-titled debut album (to be released in 2013). It is available now.

The Carnival Kids is an alternative/indie rock project formed in August 2012 by songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and producer Adam Ciminello (keyboardist/songwriter for Silentypes)

We listened to ‘Bitter Holding‘ and here’s what we thought:

Starting with gesturing keyboards, a gushing voice steps in – as sprightly as a mountain ram. The voice strides manfully through the scene, a vessell of power and majesty, until it emerges spendidly into clear view. A glorious abundance of arrangements shine, and these create golden doodles onto every glossy surface.

This song rumbles along operatically , like a streaming waterfall, filling parts of the heart that need tempering with such a fresh water blessing. - Neil Mach - Raw Ramp Music Mag

The second track of The Carnival Kids self-titled debut album is not quite what I expected to hear in the midst of the current indie climate surrounding music. The project was formed in mid-2012 by multi-instrumentalist Adam Ciminello from Silentypes, giving the alternative-rock theme more context.

The band from Poughkeepsie, NY use ‘Bitter Holding’ to display raw emotion and the tune follows the theme of their album, to explore feelings regardless of whether they are happy or tortured, displaying an overall appreciation of each of life’s experiences. Anxiety and discomfort echo through the lyrics of this particular track, Ciminello writing, “Pour me a drink, make it strong, go straight to my head… I know I don’t belong… Here in the bitter holding. You hold me out too long.”

The music does well to reflect this onerous attitude and the band achieve their goal of making music that defies any single genre, whilst maintaining that feeling of familiarity, which is necessary for any successful arrangement. Beginning with melodically hammering keyboards, a powerful voice reverberates atop the many-layered track. A wealth of compositions weaves in and out of focus, lacing several different genres into the rocky foundation.

The song thunders along, creating an impressive clamour but never really builds to a spectacular finale. 70´s pop-rock meets 90´s alternative; the project spans sounds similar to the work of Goo Goo Dolls, through Five For Fighting to Rise Against. Still, this is not an entirely accurate comparison due to The Carnival Kids original sound.

This is upbeat stadium pop that would make a great impression on any crowd. ‘Bitter Holding’ maybe won’t quite make the list of songs to listen to before you die, but The Carnival Kids have a promising future ahead of them. - Hannah Sweetnam - Music Broke My Bones

The second track of The Carnival Kids self-titled debut album is not quite what I expected to hear in the midst of the current indie climate surrounding music. The project was formed in mid-2012 by multi-instrumentalist Adam Ciminello from Silentypes, giving the alternative-rock theme more context.

The band from Poughkeepsie, NY use ‘Bitter Holding’ to display raw emotion and the tune follows the theme of their album, to explore feelings regardless of whether they are happy or tortured, displaying an overall appreciation of each of life’s experiences. Anxiety and discomfort echo through the lyrics of this particular track, Ciminello writing, “Pour me a drink, make it strong, go straight to my head… I know I don’t belong… Here in the bitter holding. You hold me out too long.”

The music does well to reflect this onerous attitude and the band achieve their goal of making music that defies any single genre, whilst maintaining that feeling of familiarity, which is necessary for any successful arrangement. Beginning with melodically hammering keyboards, a powerful voice reverberates atop the many-layered track. A wealth of compositions weaves in and out of focus, lacing several different genres into the rocky foundation.

The song thunders along, creating an impressive clamour but never really builds to a spectacular finale. 70´s pop-rock meets 90´s alternative; the project spans sounds similar to the work of Goo Goo Dolls, through Five For Fighting to Rise Against. Still, this is not an entirely accurate comparison due to The Carnival Kids original sound.

This is upbeat stadium pop that would make a great impression on any crowd. ‘Bitter Holding’ maybe won’t quite make the list of songs to listen to before you die, but The Carnival Kids have a promising future ahead of them. - Hannah Sweetnam - Music Broke My Bones

NYC Indie Pop group The Carnival Kids has a hit with this album that has a richness and originality in a music scene that can be drenched in a “let’s all be different together” vibe. In an arena on consciousness where true individuality is lost among the trying to be popular and a groups reason to be is lost in the desire to be big, The Carnival Kids keeps the beat and has a creative and well composed inner child, which is brought out and exposed in a truth and vitality that could be envied.

Technically, the album is very well composed, mixed and is vibrant, energetic but not “pop-ish” and has an upbeat tempo that keeps it moving. This could be the best new indie album of this coming year. I especially liked the singer’s presence in the songs, not to far forward, giving the other elements of the music to shine through; backup vocals are harmonious to the measures of the richness and tone, overall well done. This group is easily in the same league as the Dave Mathews Band or Ben Folds Five, to be viewed as an independent force in their formative but fast evolving state. Influenced by groups such as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Pink Floyd, and more, they have a great grasp on what sounds good. The music is natural, not over mixed or produced with an over polished feel, very “live and direct”.

I found the songs did have a serious to them; some titles had a very deep message and need to be listened to fully grasp their importance. I have found some bands take themselves either too seriously lyrically and draw the listener down into whatever self-assuring therapy moment the vocalist may be having, or to the contrary, never take the time to address topics that are topical and have a social significance. The Carnival Kids, to me, seem to take things in an order of importance on this album, weaving a story in song, and this album, which could have easily been 2 albums, is a multi-track score to a life story worth a stage performance, a life musical for a musical life.

This album is fantastic, and should be in every collection as a tree house belongs in every yard and every child deserves an ice cream on a Sunday morning, The Carnival Kids show a definitive promise, and I find they have a great natural talent, from a group so young, they have a musical maturity of session musicians well beyond their years.

I will be keeping in touch with this band and follow their progress, definitely ones to watch for in the coming year, I think they would be a great group to see live. This is the self-titled debut album and available on band camp, sound cloud and the band can be found on Facebook. Links to their Video site on YouTube will also be found below. - Joseph Timmons - Xombiewoof Magazine

NYC Indie Pop group The Carnival Kids has a hit with this album that has a richness and originality in a music scene that can be drenched in a “let’s all be different together” vibe. In an arena on consciousness where true individuality is lost among the trying to be popular and a groups reason to be is lost in the desire to be big, The Carnival Kids keeps the beat and has a creative and well composed inner child, which is brought out and exposed in a truth and vitality that could be envied.

Technically, the album is very well composed, mixed and is vibrant, energetic but not “pop-ish” and has an upbeat tempo that keeps it moving. This could be the best new indie album of this coming year. I especially liked the singer’s presence in the songs, not to far forward, giving the other elements of the music to shine through; backup vocals are harmonious to the measures of the richness and tone, overall well done. This group is easily in the same league as the Dave Mathews Band or Ben Folds Five, to be viewed as an independent force in their formative but fast evolving state. Influenced by groups such as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Pink Floyd, and more, they have a great grasp on what sounds good. The music is natural, not over mixed or produced with an over polished feel, very “live and direct”.

I found the songs did have a serious to them; some titles had a very deep message and need to be listened to fully grasp their importance. I have found some bands take themselves either too seriously lyrically and draw the listener down into whatever self-assuring therapy moment the vocalist may be having, or to the contrary, never take the time to address topics that are topical and have a social significance. The Carnival Kids, to me, seem to take things in an order of importance on this album, weaving a story in song, and this album, which could have easily been 2 albums, is a multi-track score to a life story worth a stage performance, a life musical for a musical life.

This album is fantastic, and should be in every collection as a tree house belongs in every yard and every child deserves an ice cream on a Sunday morning, The Carnival Kids show a definitive promise, and I find they have a great natural talent, from a group so young, they have a musical maturity of session musicians well beyond their years.

I will be keeping in touch with this band and follow their progress, definitely ones to watch for in the coming year, I think they would be a great group to see live. This is the self-titled debut album and available on band camp, sound cloud and the band can be found on Facebook. Links to their Video site on YouTube will also be found below. - Joseph Timmons - Xombiewoof Magazine