Spotlight
Kyzon
•
February 19, 2017
Rock n' Roll is the genre semi-famous for sex and drugs as part of the music, and for the band not just in the lyrics. Known for its strong clean vocals, more groove oriented beat, some synth keyboard sounds, and overall more light hearted sound, KYZON provides just that with their first full length album since their reforming in 2012 "Spotlight." I will say that KYZON very well embodies the late 80s Rock sound in every aspect, with some very catchy riffs and beats that I am sure fans of the genre will like.
Opening with "When She's Good", KYZON very strongly captures the idea of short catchy mantras that make the song memorable. While a bit repetitious, it still does well to capture the focus on catchy beats with an easy to remember line, making it a good opening song to give you an idea of what the album is like. Next comes the namesake of the album, "Spotlight". I must say though, this song sounds like it would be a song you would here in an 80s movie that the internally conflicted protagonist would have playing in the background as they run from something in the night or would hear as they express their rage and frustration in an abandoned warehouse. However, in all seriousness I must mention the chorus because it does far better in sounding catchy with the guitar riffs, and is something that will very easily be stuck in your head. By comparison though, "All Bets Are Off" sounds far more like a light hearted more upbeat love song, and no offense to the band but while the song is good and in and of itself it is original, the overall tune easily can fall into the 80s cliche love song. The kind you would hear as someone gets a date and jumps for joy including the synth heavier sound. However, if "All Bets Are Off" falls into that cliche of love song, "Where I Belong" falls into the other stereotype of softer, more mellow, and the type of song you would hear as the protagonist and the love interest stare into the stars at the same time while thinking of each other.
The next song worth mentioning would be "Dangerous", which opens with a far more industrial sound and overall is one of the more rock intensive songs on the album, featuring some pretty good guitar work and a pretty decent beat. It is still very upbeat like the album once the industrial sounding opening subsides. One song I feel I have to mention though is "Beat Of My Heart", a song with some amazing riffs that had a very western-esque sound to it, along the lines of "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by BON JOVI with an amazing fading ending instrumental. Overall, the progression of both the riffs and songs is very outstanding and makes the song worth listening to, and in my mind one of the better songs on the album.
Overall this was a pretty solid album. It might not have been my cup of tea but it was very well made and produced, had some great tracks, and the sound they were trying to achieve was achieved. There were some songs I quite enjoyed on it too. For anyone who likes late 80s rock (the kind that leans on the 80s Pop Rock side) I would highly suggest this song. That and also to anyone who likes the idea of the 80s Rock boy band image that the band loves to joke about. In sum, an enjoyable album that I am sure will be well received by those who enjoy the genre.
/10
/10
/10
/10
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Spotlight" Track-listing:
1. When She's Good
2. Spotlight
3. All Bets Are Off
4. Where I Belong
5. Somebody New
6. Dangerous
7. Beat Of My Heart
8. Other People's Lives
9. Beggar And Thief
10. Nothing To Lose
11. Grenade (Cover)
Kyzon Lineup:
Herman F. Litzefinger - Vocals
Tedd Asperow - Guitar
Jet Bucksley - Keyboard
Steve Man - Bass
Chief Mc Kyzon - Drums
More results...