By Stan Cierlitsky
Spotify gets all the credit for my discovery of Kevin Krauter, whose new album, Full Hand, is out now via Bayonet Records and let me tell you why. A few months ago, I was just listening to something random on Spotify -- I can't remember now what it was -- and, after whatever it was finished playing, Spotify just picked something on its own to play next. Turns out it was "Surprise", the recent single by Kevin Krauter. Wow! I immediately reached for my phone to find out what this was. My first guess was it was something new by Day Wave (an awesome band you may not be aware of). But I soon realized this was something new. Something special. This song will most likely end up on my Best of 2020 end-of-year list, and all three of my daughters dig this one. For all of you old-timers out there like Glenn, Jay, and me, this song is gonna remind you of something old: "Wouldn't It Be Good" by Nik Kershaw. Most Americans know the cover version from the Pretty in Pink (1986) soundtrack probably better than they know the original hit, but it's a great slice of Eighties alt-pop.
At that point I realized this was someone I wanted to know more about. Imagine my surprise (pun intended) when I found out that Mr. Krauter was the bassist in another band I like a lot. The band is called Hoops. I wonder if that's why Spotify played this? By the way, Hoops released a new song at the end of 2019 called "They Say" and I urge you to check that out too.
Anyway, the actual first single from Full Hand is called "Pretty Boy", and it's not a big obvious pop song like "Surprise" is. It's a bit of a slow-burner. On the Hoops Wikipedia page it says that the biggest influences on Hoops are Real Estate and The Radio Dept. You can definitely hear elements from those bands here. And if you are a fan of either that's just another reason to give this a listen as far as I'm concerned.
The song "Opportunity" is another slower composition. Musically, this one especially makes me think of The Radio Dept. The keyboards and the programmed beats just sound so comforting. Apparently Krauter wrote this song a few years ago when he first started trying to be a full-time musician. "Green Eyes" is another really good track. Very hazy and jazzy. This also reminds me of something from the Eighties. The music sounds a little like a band called Black, and the tune has a slow vibe that reminds me a little of material from a band called Curiosity Killed the Cat. The bass is so prominent and good that you have to think a little of Level 42. I don't know for sure what it makes me recall, but I do know this song is good.
The track "Patience" has clear elements that will make you think of Mac DeMarco. That sleazy guitar sound that DeMarco has perfected will come to mind when you hear this number from Kevin Krauter. The title tack is another favorite. I love the acoustic guitar opening that reminds me of "Save it for Later" by The English Beat. A lot of cool indie songs seem to have this (check out "Ginger" by Lilys). "It's time to reveal the full hand," go the lyrics. I think Krauter is starting to show his full hand on this record. I mean revealing what he is capable of. I clearly feel like his band Hoops could take the next step in a similar sort of progression in terms of composition and execution. However, if he decides to go solo, I think Full Hand indicates he's talented enough to do so. I only wish that this album had more songs like "Surprise". I mean, the slower songs here are good, but Kevin Krauter's grandiose pop on that single and others really drew me in.
Full Hand is out now via Bayonet Records.
More details on Kevin Krauter via the official Facebook page.
Kevin Krauter is playing D.C. on April 29. Details here.