Acoustic EP's full of demos are not often the targets of this blog. Cali Rodi's EP is the only acoustic EP we've reviewed so far, and this is the second. But there is something special about Kling, and a strong resemblance between her and a young Taylor Swift, both from the state of Pennsylvania. Both of them wrote and recorded countless acoustic demos, all trying to gain support and break into the country music world. These striking similarities bring about an investigation to see whether Kling lives up to a young Swift.
Swift, even at a young age, was obsessed with writing about boys. Kling's song "Boys With Guitars" seems like something Swift could have written. Kling takes a warning stance on this track, with the lyric: "his only talent is playing heartstrings/he'll put the ache in heartbreak." Lyrically, this track is one of the strongest.
Another highlight is "Before You." This song is one of the most beautiful songs of this collection. The only song that includes acoustic guitar plucking instead of strumming, this track is another breakup song, in the same vein of a previous track, "Damaged." In the song, Kling debates what kind of girl she wants to be after this man isn't with her anymore. She decides that she wants to be the girl before she ever met him, and she wishes she could go back in time. It is a naive and young idea that you can just forget someone who played such a big part in your life for so long, but Kling understands that, with the lyric: "before I knew the pain/of the things that I can't change." This track is one of the best songs on the EP because it debates what you can change and what you can't in love. Kling does this song beautifully.
Even though there are highlights, some tracks on this EP are not particularly impressive. One of those is "What You Like To Do," a song that is good, but just a little bit to cliché, and just not original enough. "Holding Onto You" is another track that is very interesting vocally, but it is hard to imagine this as a fully produced track because of the different vocals speeds, and somewhat slow guitar playing. But even Swift had some tracks that were just not very good, so Kling is still up to par with a young Swift.
Another highlight is "Before You." This song is one of the most beautiful songs of this collection. The only song that includes acoustic guitar plucking instead of strumming, this track is another breakup song, in the same vein of a previous track, "Damaged." In the song, Kling debates what kind of girl she wants to be after this man isn't with her anymore. She decides that she wants to be the girl before she ever met him, and she wishes she could go back in time. It is a naive and young idea that you can just forget someone who played such a big part in your life for so long, but Kling understands that, with the lyric: "before I knew the pain/of the things that I can't change." This track is one of the best songs on the EP because it debates what you can change and what you can't in love. Kling does this song beautifully.
Even though there are highlights, some tracks on this EP are not particularly impressive. One of those is "What You Like To Do," a song that is good, but just a little bit to cliché, and just not original enough. "Holding Onto You" is another track that is very interesting vocally, but it is hard to imagine this as a fully produced track because of the different vocals speeds, and somewhat slow guitar playing. But even Swift had some tracks that were just not very good, so Kling is still up to par with a young Swift.
Towards the end of the EP, Kling gets her most catchy in "Love is Crazy." This is a track on the EP that would sound amazing fully produced. There are hits and misses, and this is one of the hits. Kling shows her ability to craft a perfect hook with this track, showing her talent more than any other song in this collection. The chorus goes:
"I remember not too long ago,
It was me that you were holding.
My mistake that I didn't know
I was saving a spot for someone."
Kling has a way with words in which she knows how to take a simple concept and make it into something that is so clear, yet so complicated, adding depth to the song.
For an EP of acoustic demos, with just vocals from Kling, this is very impressive. There are some tracks that should stay demos, but there also are tracks that have so much potential and would sound so amazing if fully recorded. All of the signed artists and artists who have recorded in studios have the advantage of a full studio production, harmonies, and vocals effects that can make them sound much better than they actually are. The only way you can truly see how talented they actually are is through live performances and acoustic performances. Kling does not have any of those advantages. It is just her guitar, her words, and her voice. And by that standard, this EP is pretty damn good.
Best tracks: Boys and Guitars, Before You, Love Is Crazy
Throwaway tracks: What You Like To Do
Overall rating: 3 and 3/4 crownS
"I remember not too long ago,
It was me that you were holding.
My mistake that I didn't know
I was saving a spot for someone."
Kling has a way with words in which she knows how to take a simple concept and make it into something that is so clear, yet so complicated, adding depth to the song.
For an EP of acoustic demos, with just vocals from Kling, this is very impressive. There are some tracks that should stay demos, but there also are tracks that have so much potential and would sound so amazing if fully recorded. All of the signed artists and artists who have recorded in studios have the advantage of a full studio production, harmonies, and vocals effects that can make them sound much better than they actually are. The only way you can truly see how talented they actually are is through live performances and acoustic performances. Kling does not have any of those advantages. It is just her guitar, her words, and her voice. And by that standard, this EP is pretty damn good.
Best tracks: Boys and Guitars, Before You, Love Is Crazy
Throwaway tracks: What You Like To Do
Overall rating: 3 and 3/4 crownS
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