7.2
Artful rock trio Highland Kites are not about crafting tunes for the mainstream. Singer-songwriter Marissa Lamar sets the tone, showing herself to be a soul-baring artist who’s more of a communicator than a singer. “I’m Not Weak” is glazed with a pond full of reverb and dreamy ambience that effectively counterbalances its edgy uprising of guitars. It’s an intriguing piece of work that would have more impact if it were shorter. Pounding drums propel “This War Inside” and is another example of Lamar’s dark, confessional style. “Let Me Run” is lulling, lengthy and overworks its hypnotic groove. The intriguing Kites might do well to find ways to inject more drama and dynamics into their arrangements.
