Currently skipping across the globe on their first world tour, Kopek seems like an unlikely group to hit such international stardom so early in their existence. Formed in 2002 and apparently finding their singer with a local music magazine ad, Kopek were regular contestants in local battle-of-the-bands competitions. Working their way up the battle-of-the-bands circuit (yeah, who knew those still existed, right?) all the way up to a global battle-of-the-bands where they won $100,000 and a world tour, Kopek showed their determination and power to please the modern rock crowds.
First and foremost, it's worth pointing out that Kopek hasn’t been glutted by the cancerous growth that is the pop/rock sound of the new millennium, which is actually a bit of a surprise, in listening to White Collar Lies. Honestly, I kept waiting for the album to turn into radio hit central, but track after track proved me wrong. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Kopek’s style is completely unique, but their style does absolutely have a deep quality of honest and soulful songwriting that you don’t usually hear in the mainstream these days.
White Collar Lies is the first album from Kopek, first release on iTunes and then on disc in early 2011. The album slams into gear with “Cocaine Chest Pains,” a rock n’ roll anthem that would have fit perfectly into the radio spectrum of the early Nineties and gives us a breath of fresh air from the current barrage of formula-following rock bands topping the pop charts. Daniel Jordan – lead guitarist and vocalist – intertwines his guitar riffs and vocals with the finesse of a seasoned veteran, never over-complicating things and keeping a solid groove throughout. “White Collar Lies,” the title track, is a criticism of modern politics and business, decrying the values of leaders of the 1st World. The end of the track has a great “sing-along” part where I can imagine being part of a huge crowd in a stadium where everyone's chanting, “Tell me white collar lies!”
One track that really stands out to me is “Sub Human.” Built upon an unrelenting acoustic guitar riff and the addition of a Didgeridoo, this track showcases how the band can take some really simple elements and create a fantastic and unforgettable song.
Ireland – being impossibly small compared to other countries pumping out huge rock outfits – is well-known for its contingent of giant, chart-topping music groups (who likes U2? Do you? How about The Cranberries?) and, while they may have a long road ahead of them, Kopek may sit amongst the Irish-rock elite one day if they play their cards right and continue to build on their quickly-amassing fame. The early signs of greatness are most definitely here on White Collar Lies.
Artist:
www.kopekofficial.com/
www.myspace.com/kopek
www.facebook.com/kopek
www.twitter.com/#!/kopekofficial
Album:
White Collar Lies is out now. Buy it here on Amazon .
