Cerebral rockers The Kickback put a melancholic, indie spin on the John Moreland classic “Christmas Lights”, available now on all digital retailers.
The Chicago four-piece followed its triumphant debut with, Weddings & Funerals, released earlier this year. Its sophomore offering was released earlier this year to wide acclaim from Billboard Magazine, Alternative Press, ABC News, Popmattersand more, including Consequence of Sound, which graciously ranked the album #28 on its rundown of 2017’s Top 50 albums.
For fans, the record surprisingly topped the fury, exhilaration, anxiety and deep emotion of the band’s critically acclaimed first album, Sorry All Over the Place.
Produced by Spoon’s Jim Eno, the album picked up impressive, early support from Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Nerdist, Death + Taxes, The Wild Honey Pie and more for its brainy lyricism, young conviction and pop-friendly sensibilities.
Not to mention, the act’s raucous live show repeatedly proved to be just as powerful as its characteristic sense of humor.
Produced by GRAMMY Award-winning Dennis Herring (Modest Mouse, Elvis Costello, WAVVES),Weddings & Funerals is a personal and sonically technicolor collection of contemporary rock and roll.
It hones an animalistic spirit the band has chased for years and one that fits the very relatable , human remorse from heartbreak. “False Jeopardy”, from the album, was featured in the Lily Collinsand Keanu Reeves Netflix drama and Sundance smash, To The Bone, out now.
The original version of “Christmas Lights” features former Kickback drummer Steve Walden and explains the band’s careful and unique selection to pay homage to the Moreland track. Yost shares “I heard the original version of this song way too late in the game.
Steve while touring through Oklahoma this summer, and he and I listened to it late one night sitting at his kitchen table and trading war stories. Moreland’s version is so tough because he is tough. He’s a brick shit house of a man, and the song brings it hard.”
He adds, “If you remove the balls, the grit, and the deep, soulful voice, you have our version. While that all seems like a horrible idea, I was really happy with how this came out.
I think it’s a testament to the quality of the song that it works in such a different setting. Special props to Jonny’s Casiotone MT-100 for stealing the show.”
Yost is joined by Jonny Ifergan (guitar/keys/vocals), Dan Leu (bass) and Jarad Kleinstein (drums.) The band’s extensive tour history has included opening slots for Bush, Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club, Manic Street Preachers and more, and it’s set to announce a 2018 live run soon.
rockyourlyrics
Follow