Rose Kemp – A Hand Full of Hurricanes

Rose Kemp – A Hand Full of Hurricanes / 2006 One Little Indian / 11 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/rosekemp / http://www.onelittleindian.us / Reviewed 26 May 2007 Rose Kemp starts off “A Hand Full of Hurricanes” with the quiet track “Little One”. The track shows that Kemp has not settled in completely, and it is not the strongest opening I have ever heard. For a proper introduction, one has to listen in to the second track, “Violence”. The most interesting thing about “Violence” is the bouncing back and forth between quieter and louder genres. However, there seems to be a nexus between both styles that allows for the track to sound cohesive rather than a patchwork job. The guitar work is hard-edged but the styles that were used in the creation of the track are not easily categorizable. There are hints of the tempestuous rock of the early nineties as well as some of the earliest emo.

However, Rose Kemp’s stock goes up considerably during “Tiny Flower”, where multiple vocal lines are layered over each other while only a set of drums is present. The result is something that will etch itself onto listeners’ hearts. The song may only be 100 seconds, but the complexity of the song is enough that it will feel like it is four or five minutes. Rose Kemp might have started off eir album in a weak way, but the tracks that follow the opening more than make up for it. The slower style of “Morning Music” further shows listeners that Rose Kemp can be all over the map while still crafting a sound for “A Hand Full of Hurricanes”. “Dark Corners” shows more of the same, with the vocals taking the focal point of the track.

Sure, the dissonant guitars come in at different points, but one hears Rose Kemp throughout the entirety of the track. There are hints of a Radiohead present in the instrumental progression, but what Rose Kemp does her is something that does not easily conform to different genres and influences. I have little doubt in my mind that Rose Kemp will not break it big. Ey is on One Little Indian already, so it should only be a matter of time before more individuals get wind of what ey is and what ey sounds like. There might not be tons of radio-worthy tracks on this album, but the whole album is solid enough that individuals will pick certain parts and lift them up high. Rose Kemp succeeds here.

Top Tracks: Metal Bird, Orange Juice

Rating: 5.5/10

[JMcQ]