The contemplative soul of Michigan's
Judah Johnson oozes cleanly throughout
Kisses and Interrogation, the quartet's debut full-length. Having survived various lineup changes in the years preceding the album's release, Daniel Johnson, the band's leader in more than just vocals and guitar, spurred the band on to release the result of its tumultuous and passionate brief history. Recording the album in Detroit and Owosso, MI, the group was bolstered by the addition of bassist Rodrigo Palma and keyboardist Steven Nistor. Charles Koltak continued to serve as the rhythmic backbone of the band on drums. Opening with the ambient and soulful instrumental "Look at My Hands," the band then dives into the live favorite "Vegas Revisited," where the listener first hears Johnson's effortlessly clean vocals whisper over an increasingly fiery musical backdrop. What follows is a roller coaster of emotions and musical approaches, from the calm and serene grace of "Consolation" to the brief experimental grace of "Wolf Pics I" to the clattering charm of "Signs Subliminal." Although officially out of the band, ex-keyboardist
Nate Cavalieri appears on four of the disc's 15 tracks. His feisty organ on "The Great Humanitarian" livens the feel of the disc midway through, while the blistering "In the Can" is quite possibly the hardest and most visceral track of the early part of the band's career. It is followed by "Made for Greatness," one of Johnson's more powerful ballads. His voice rising from a whisper to an anthem-worthy howl, a sincerity and graciousness shines through. Two versions of the title track include the more sonically intense "Version B" and the softer, gentler "Version A." An impressive string quartet of viola, violins, and cello are featured on "Theme from the Thinker" before flowing into Johnson's vocal lead on the disc's final track, the contemplative serenade "We Stand Still." As a whole,
Kisses and Interrogation is a fluid and composed body of work, complete with strengths and faults, with more than its share of highlights. A wealth of guest musicians appear throughout the disc, including ex-bassist Zach Roberts,
Dave Shettler, and trumpeter Derek Phelps. Chicago-based Flameshovel Records released the disc in early 2003. ~ Stephen Cramer