Mice & Rifles

All Kites Up

The tension underlying Mice & Rifles’ debut EP is encapsulated in Kevin Brinkkoeter’s husky voice set against droning keys and swooning guitar. Barren horizons open up only to be collapsed by drums and Brinkkoeter, as with the dark wax and wane of “Telegrams” and “I Can Tell.” “Balance” crackles with an acerbic disillusion of love, while “American Victory” laces its chugging rhythms through a condemning political tirade. Most exceptional is opener “Storms,” with Brinkkoeter echoing both Johnny Cash’s baritone and new local Micah P. Hinson’s weary drawl. And although closing All Kites Up with the Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” seems dubious, the song is impressively rendered, mirroring Richard Hawley’s blend of Britpop and Americana.

***

This article appears in August 3 • 2007.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.