Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review



Kids In The Way
A Love Hate Masquerade



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 36 minutes, 12 seconds
Street Date: September 18, 2007


In 2005, rock act Kids In The Way upped the ante by releasing Apparitions Of Melody, a distinctly more mature and aggressive collection of songs than their 2003 debut. Now two years, a rerelease, and a few personnel changes later, Kids delivers a more straight up rock album sans any filler with A Love Hate Masquerade. But while nearly every track is anthem material, offering infectious hooks and memorable choruses, thematically the record is a bitter and dark examination of love, lust, and relationships.

While Apparitions... had a dark element to it, A Love Hate Masquerade takes it even further. Opening with the infectious "Your Demon," Kids In The Way establish the album's "love / hate" theme dealing with relationships with a sour outlook, "I feel it / Your demon / I see the daggers coming from your eyes / And they cut right through me." Yet, like with several of the album's tracks, the band inserts a bit of hope into the mix, even if it's only subtle, concluding the intro song with "Life on the high is your alibi / And I'm tired of you running from the truth." Songs like "Better Times," "The Innocence," and "Letting Go" deal almost exclusively with love and love lost, while musical highlights like "Sugar" and "My Little Nightmare" are especially catchy but ultimately fiercely bitter examinations of relationships gone awry. "Sugar," although another standout track on the record, is anything but sweet, "Everybody run, everybody run / She looks so sweet when she's having fun / Everybody run, everybody / The homecoming queen has got a gun," while "My Little Nightmare" states, "There's no time, for falling apart / I need you like a bullet to the heart / So long, so you say." Many who listen to the album who've experienced heartache due to a romantic relationship at some point in their life will undoubtedly be able to relate to the feelings displayed here, with each reference calling to mind a feeling they once have felt or are currently. But a feel-good record this is not, and as strong as it is from start to finish, the dynamic that songs on Apparitions brought, especially in "This Could Be The Song That Will Change Your Heart," "Breaking The Legs of Sheep," and "Safety in the Darknes," is on a whole missing here.

Most records have a moment where you feel like the band may have defaulted for a couple merely passable tracks to stuff near its finish to complete the album, but musically, A Love Hate Masquerade remains firm throughout. "Winter Passing," a song inspired by the indie film of the same name starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, is a driving rock track dripping with emotion. "We Kill At Twilight" is destined for replay in your head long after listening and the album finale, "Farewell" addresses death and the hope to reunite with a loved one in Heaven some day. The album's closing words are lasting ones, "Cross my heart, hope to die / I will see you on the other side / Hallelu, hallelu." Of Kids' three albums to date, David Pelsue's voice has never sounded better, trading in his throat-shredding screams adopted on Apparitions for moody vocals throughout ("Fiction," originally from The Dead Letters rerelease of Apparitions Of Melody is really the only place where they appear here).

While A Love Hate Masquerade is a big album musically, one that won't be likely to leave the player too soon after acquisition, it seems rather paperthin in spiritual substance. One of the better rock records to come around this year, Kids In The Way are headed in the right direction stylistically, churning out a series of memorable songs, but don't expect this masquerade through the heartaches and ups and downs of love to be an uplifting or spiritual journey.

- Review date: 9/14/07, PReviewed: 8/15/07, written by John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Flicker Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 36 minutes, 12 seconds
. Street Date: September 18, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Your Demon
  2. Better Times
  3. The Innocence
  4. Letting Go
  5. My Little Nightmare
  6. Far From Over
  7. Sugar
  8. We Kill At Twilight
  9. Winter Passing
  10. Fiction
  11. Farewell
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images