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Kiyoshi Graves – Chase
Tired of throbbing hip hop and screaming emo? If you’ve been aching for music
that makes you feel good – like a grown-up on a sunny Sunday afternoon - then
Kiyoshi Graves is the man you’ve been searching for.
Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, even CD package design – is there
anything the multi-talented Graves can’t do? On Chase, the 2006 release from
JD8 Records, Graves weaves together poetry with a poppy-rock sound that
somehow manages to be both lighthearted and heartfelt. Graves’ harmonic
depth blended with his dramatic looking hazel eyes offers up a full-blown swoon
sure to enchant his listeners in 10 songs or less. Each tune tells a story, each
one a different shade of human emotion.
Album opener “Chase” has got almost a Gin Blossoms feels to it. With a toe-
tapping hook this is a refreshing change in the current world of emo. Nicely
produced, “Chase” has got a smooth arrangement which flows and lacks any
kind of aural awkwardness. A promising first impression of this up and coming
crooner and a perfect choice for the title cut.
In “Everything” Graves ’ voice is both soothing and titillating. Though jaded,
“Everything” tells of one of life’s lessons we all, sadly, can relate to.
In our post-911 reality, America ’s at war and war influences our musicians.
“Reckoning” is Graves ’ say about what it means – and should mean – to be an
American. A delicate melody with a heady message and a sexy guitar solo.
The tender “Finish Line” is another highlight of this disc. A song full of the hope
and comfort we all long for. “Greatest Thing” wafts from your speakers with a
subtle power as it pulls at your heartstrings. There’s also an undercurrent of
stellar guitar work this song as well. On “Identify,” the smoky-voiced Missy
Gibson helps to tell a tale of the fragility of love.
Other songs on the disc include “Found,” “So Much More,” “Line,” and wrapping
up Chase is the introspective and gentle “Letter,” with its haunting and angelic
sounding backing vocals.
This 10-song repertoire is a slice of life with its own taste, refusing to adhere to
the musical flavor of the week. As Kiyoshi Graves continues to grow and write
and sing, I look forward to his muse guiding him out beyond the Los Angeles city
limits – there’s no telling how far he’ll go.
© Melanie “Sass” Falina - sass@westcoastrockers.com
www.kiyoshigraves.com
www.myspace.com/kiyoshigraves.com
Tired of throbbing hip hop and screaming emo? If you’ve been aching for music
that makes you feel good – like a grown-up on a sunny Sunday afternoon - then
Kiyoshi Graves is the man you’ve been searching for.
Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, even CD package design – is there
anything the multi-talented Graves can’t do? On Chase, the 2006 release from
JD8 Records, Graves weaves together poetry with a poppy-rock sound that
somehow manages to be both lighthearted and heartfelt. Graves’ harmonic
depth blended with his dramatic looking hazel eyes offers up a full-blown swoon
sure to enchant his listeners in 10 songs or less. Each tune tells a story, each
one a different shade of human emotion.
Album opener “Chase” has got almost a Gin Blossoms feels to it. With a toe-
tapping hook this is a refreshing change in the current world of emo. Nicely
produced, “Chase” has got a smooth arrangement which flows and lacks any
kind of aural awkwardness. A promising first impression of this up and coming
crooner and a perfect choice for the title cut.
In “Everything” Graves ’ voice is both soothing and titillating. Though jaded,
“Everything” tells of one of life’s lessons we all, sadly, can relate to.
In our post-911 reality, America ’s at war and war influences our musicians.
“Reckoning” is Graves ’ say about what it means – and should mean – to be an
American. A delicate melody with a heady message and a sexy guitar solo.
The tender “Finish Line” is another highlight of this disc. A song full of the hope
and comfort we all long for. “Greatest Thing” wafts from your speakers with a
subtle power as it pulls at your heartstrings. There’s also an undercurrent of
stellar guitar work this song as well. On “Identify,” the smoky-voiced Missy
Gibson helps to tell a tale of the fragility of love.
Other songs on the disc include “Found,” “So Much More,” “Line,” and wrapping
up Chase is the introspective and gentle “Letter,” with its haunting and angelic
sounding backing vocals.
This 10-song repertoire is a slice of life with its own taste, refusing to adhere to
the musical flavor of the week. As Kiyoshi Graves continues to grow and write
and sing, I look forward to his muse guiding him out beyond the Los Angeles city
limits – there’s no telling how far he’ll go.
© Melanie “Sass” Falina - sass@westcoastrockers.com
www.kiyoshigraves.com
www.myspace.com/kiyoshigraves.com
