When bands split, it’s not always easy to find a suitable side project that will further your career while still keeping the interest of the original band’s fans. Kevin Max Smith has managed to find himself a way to do these things and much more. As the most lyrically ornate of the three original dc Talk members, Kevin Max has found an avenue for his thoughtful creativity and experimentation. His solo work, beginning with his first full-length solo LP, Stereotype Be, up through his current release, Crashing Gates, is noticeably intellectual while still retaining accessibility and palpably relatable connections for the listener. Crashing Gates released at the beginning of last month and is the first of a two EP project, focusing on end times and speculating on the future.

The first of the seven song EP is the darkly-dressed anthem “Traveler.” With captivating soundscapes, mesmerizing melody lines, and appropriate production, the song is a masterpiece of tones and musical mixtures. “You and I stare into the abyss / Is there more than this?” just reveal the tip of the iceberg of Kevin Max’s heavy, thought-provoking alt-rocker. “Baby I’m Your Man” is a strange love song of sorts, fusing Baulderlaire and Poe references with semi-poppy chorus phrases, resulting in an intriguing, mid-tempo diction of bluesy swirls and pleasant guitar color.

“The Saint of Lonely Hearts” is the third track on Crashing Gates. This one is strong and ambitious with its arrogant melody and forceful percussion foundation. It’s also short, keeping the progression contained and precise. The next tune is “Future Love Song,” a puzzling ballad with cryptic lyrics. Production and arrangement here are still reasonable, but this is unfortunately the low point in the album. It’s just overly simple and repetitive, while also lasting a little too long. The bridge/outro piece is very creative though.

“Ding dong! The witch is dead” is no longer just a quote from The Wizard of Oz. It’s now additionally a quote from “Out of the Wild,” the rowdy fifth number on Kevin Max’s Crashing Gates EP. Distorted electric guitars battle for attention while KMax’s voice growls with Bono-fide rock tendencies like a wolverine. His futuristic focus comes into play here quite obviously, vocalizing phrases like “2075 / And they blew down the buildings / And we stood in lines for bread / Just like Mother Russia back when she was red.” It’s amusing, but not quite compelling.

The last two tracks on Crashing Gates, “Crashing Gates and Passing Keepers” and “Your Beautiful Mind 2009,” are the most complex. ”Crashing Gates and Passing Keepers” is a solitary groove, surrounded by impressive spoken poetry and masterfully arranged instrumentation. It’s one of the most experimentally successful tracks on the EP as well. “Your Beautiful Mind 2009″ is a new recording of an older Kevin Max tune, retaining the melody and overall style of the original version. Even so, it’s still got some wintry additions, making it slightly more cohesive with the previous songs on the EP.

Although it strays a bit from the Imposter style that KMax was beginning to thrive on, Crashing Gates is still a satisfactory release. The majority of the songs here are skillfully executed and cleverly written. The few that aren’t are unfortunate blemishes, but with likely grow on the listener after a few listens. Overall, worth your time and your attention, just maybe not your commitment quite yet.

/ Posted: Jan 08, 2009
/ Written by: Matt S.
/ Category: Album Reviews
/ Artist(s): Kevin Max