Kite Pilot

Mercy Will Close Its Doors

Can anything good come from Nebraska? Well, except for corn, an adequate college football team, Marlon Brando, and of course, corn. We'll let Sufjan figure that one out. But in answering the initial question, I can tell you this much: Kite Pilot is rather good and they do, in fact, come from Nebraska.

Meet Erica Hanton, Todd Hanton, Corey Broman, and Austin Britton. They are the hardworking components of Kite Pilot. From track one of their debut full length album, Mercy Will Close It's Doors, the four take us on an intricate pop journey, packing trumpets, cellos, accordions, and, of course, a washboard. Because what's a band without one?

The two vocalists in Kite Pilot (Erica Hanton and Austin Britton) are reminiscent of Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger (of the Fiery Furnaces). Whether this is a good thing or not is up for debate, but in the grand scheme of things, Hanton and Britton's voices are probably a bit more tolerable and universally accepted. It's interesting that I make this comparison because just now I am seeing that the two ensembles are playing a show together. How fitting. Sokol Auditorium in Omaha, June 22 - don't miss it.

There are quite a few standout tracks on Mercy. 'A Walk in the Dark' will catch your attention with its triumphant horn fanfare. And consider 'Carbon Monoxide' which begins with a ghostly drone and ends up surrendering itself to pop goodness as Erica asks "turning trees inside out / is it up to me to keep the grass so green?" The music on this album tends to remain upbeat and listenable without getting dull, or even worse, obnoxious. This is a feat only finely tuned musicians can pull off. As a whole, the album is pretty ear-pleasing.

For all the fast pacing and catchiness Mercy gushes, let's not forget its more somber, contemplative moments. On 'Last Night', for instance, Erica quietly warns "last night I saw the future and made my way there / you're going to die of your regrets if you don't do something." The song is a breather on an album full of movement and frenzy, and this is no bad thing.

There are a few head-scratching moments. For example, the unneccessary screaming at the end of 'Tiny Portraits' will have you asking "why did you do this, Kite Pilot?" However, one or two minor iniquities cannot overshadow the whole happy product Kite Pilot has offered up for our listening pleasure. Kite Pilot didn't change my life, but they have produced a selection of satisfying songs that should tempt anybody with a musical palate hankering for a quality musical experience.

Ruth Pranschke

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