Kings Kaleidoscope is an alternative worship band based in Seattle, WA. They have released 4 EP's to date, all of which have seen the band progress further and further into the twixt and tween of genres. 10 members strong, the band builds upon the mainstay sounds of drums, bass, keys and guitars, by adding a vast array of orchestral elements including violins, cellos,woodwinds, trombones, trumpets and vibraphones. With a strong hip-hop influence and an energy that nods toward The Mars Volta, the band is able to capture the extremes of dynamics, and project emotion like few others can.
The band’s self prescribed "designed chaos," combines high energy musical exploration with classic style hymns and modern anthems. Their new album Becoming Who We Are hopes to satisfy an audience seeking creativity, musicality, and authenticity in not only the music itself, but Who the music was created for.
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Incredible Album, This I Know| Posted November 01, 2014 Becoming Who You Are by Seattle-based Kings Kaleidoscope, is available everywhere on October 27th. This “gourmet” album is a great call to worship and is a fresh offering of praise for the Church to sing out with passion about the truth of the Word of God from Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
What’s especially cool about this new album is how this album is true to that biblical description with the strong messages. A sincere desire for the presence of God and to see His Kingdom on earth is found in every song, especially “Glorious,” which lead singer Chad Gardner sings with an engaging and worshipful alt-rock style. I really like the song and find myself frequently singing the eternity minded vertical lyrics. It has a great melody and I could imagine singing it with fellow believers. I love the biblical truth of the song and Chad’s sincere vocal style.
“Seek Your Kingdom” is an instantly sing-able song featuring a hooky musical bed including horns, and the biblically inspired phrases, “Seek Your Kingdom, seek Your Righteousness.” The driving beat and emotive vocals draw me into the prayer-song along with Chad, as he proclaims “I’ll fix my eyes on You.”
My favorite moments on this solid album are the glimpses into the band’s trusting completely in the Lord’s providence in the songs “I Know” and “Grace Alone.” I find myself really singing along with “I Know” when Chad cries out: “I know I will run through Heaven’s brilliant streets of gold, Shouting, “Hallelujah, Christ alone!” I know I will dance and sing and bow before the throne, This I know, oh!”
“139” and “Light After Darkness” continue with engaging musical styles. Don’t miss either of these catchy worship songs. The opening lyrics of “Light After Darkness”—“Light after darkness, gain after loss, strength after weakness, crown after Cross” are perfectly poetic words to draw listeners into the prayerful refrain, “Give me the hope for tomorrow, give me the peace for today.”“Fix My Eyes” is a sincere cry for Jesus to be the Lord of our lives—“I fix my eyes on You, the Founder and the Finisher of our Faith, I fix my eyes on You, the solace in Your suffering is my strength.”
Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style including the modern arrangements of “All Creatures” and “How Deep” which are both great anthems for believers to submit to God in prayer with the humble and prayerful lyrics. The exciting musical feel of “Defender” is just one of the many attractions to savor about this unique worship album. It’s a prayer that every believer can sing along with Chad, “I will not be afraid, for my hope is in His name, Who is the Rock but our God, Whose blood has sealed our Freedom, Jesus, our Savior, Defender, Redeemer!” Amen.
Closing Thoughts:
I love this incredible album, “this I know” and it has quickly become one of my top worship albums of the past year, fitting in nicely with ambient alternative rock tinged worship like Citizens by Citizens, and The Water & the Blood by Dustin Kensrue. If you like those bands and albums, then don’t hesitate to check out Kings Kaleidoscope. I really enjoy the unique musical vibe of this album and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. The musical vibe is at times reflective, ambient, and exciting, always matching the tone of the worshipful lyrics with alternative rock sensibilities displaying the musical talents of the ten band members. Kings Kaleidoscope reminds me of The Oh Hellos, Imagine Dragons, Citizens, and Kings of Leon mashed up together. I’m drawn to the stirring emotional vocals, hook-filled music and deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. This is a great album of new songs about “becoming who you are” filled with a sincere desire to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
Song to download now: “I Know” (Get it on iTunes here).
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