Pop Evil is a well-known name in the West Michigan area, and love them or hate them, they are all over the place. This February (on the 16th, to be exact) Pop Evil will release their fifth studio album, which is self-titled.
The band released their first album in 2008, which consisted of the wildly popular “100 in a 55.” However, their music has grown since then. While they’ve had some changeovers in the band over the years, Leigh Kakaty remains the vocal genius behind the growing sound. The band backing him up consists of Dave Grahs on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Nick Fuelling on lead guitar and backing vocals, Matt DiRito on bass and backing vocals, and Hayley Cramer on drums.
From the opening song “Waking Lions”, you can tell the band’s sound has grown into something heavier over the last 10 years. Even Kakaty’s vocals seem more powerful, more grown. The songs still have that melodic sound that you’ve come to expect from Pop Evil though. It’s not all heavy, there isn’t screaming. The lyrics are still empowering, something that has always made this a great band.
Not everyone out there knows that prior to the formation of Pop Evil, Leigh Kakaty was a rapper, aka the Harem King. His rap background does show up often in songs, like “Colors Bleed.”
“When We Were Young” is one of the songs that really stands out on this 11 song album. It’s a mellow song full of emotion, in the lyrics and in Kakaty’s vocals. It’s a beautiful arrangement and a nice change from the heavier rock stylings of the rest of the album.
Not the best Pop Evil album, in the opinion of one music reviewer, but it’s a great effort and something fans will definitely enjoy.
