Album Review: Kosmos – “Skeptics In Love”

Kosmos is a Denver, CO based rock band that consists of brothers Ben and Tim Tonak, who are originally from Wyoming but have called Colorado home since 2005. They released their 6-song EP “Skeptics In Love” in February 2010 as a follow up to “The Bifurcation” EP (released in 2008), and “Ways of Letting Go” (their full-length debut album which was released in 2006). “Skeptics In Love” consists of all radio-friendly
alternative rock songs that have lent themselves to effective, commercial, yet-still-very-much-Indie, record-making. All songs are seamlessly produced as they are sonicly enticing. They embody verses of harmonic-laden acoustics panned perfectly to compliment relatable lyrics of inspired love, life, and universality (as in the song, ”Like The Sun“).

The songs build instrumentally as the songwriting progresses from verse to verse, to the occasional pre-chorus, to the heavier driving guitar-riffed choruses, to a releasing bridge or instrumental solo (check out the song,”Small Town Rodeo“). Drums and chiming guitars are at times explosive and at other times, tasteful, always complimenting each song’s nuances and individuality (listen to the song, ”First Time“). As is common in this genre of rock, the choruses tend to be heavier layered segments that embody reverberation, distortion, and pure amplified heaven (evident in the bold song,
“F**k or Fight“). And the drum blueprints and breakdowns are professionally laid down
and effectively color the tracks with a primal backbeat (true to any real rock genre). “Skeptics in Love” was recorded at Boulder’s Coupe Studios, produced by the band themselves, and mastered by Tom Baker (who mastered many Nine Inch Nails records). It is described by the band as a concept album, channeling a young couple through its
tunnel of love. Lyricist Ben Tonak emits his introspections and emotions of the different stages of relationship through his prose, while the music components that define Kosmos match those lyrics. The songs give the listener a pallette to create a visual landscape yet the music unfolds on its own journey and keeps us engaged.

Kosmos, with full band, performs live in the Denver/Boulder area with Ben on guitar and vocals, Tim on bass and vocals, and drummer. They have received local radio airplay for several tracks off this EP, and are inching their way towards success, as any hard-working, talented Indie rock band in today’s competitive climate should. The “Skeptics in
Love” EP is available for purchase as a download-only release on ITunes and on the band’s websites, www.kosmosmusic.com, and www.myspace.com/kosmos.

Artist: Kosmos
Album: Skeptics In Love
Release Date: February 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Band Members: Ben Tonak (vocals, guitar, keys), Tim Tonak (bass, vocals), and Nick Fiore (drums)
Pertinent Album Information:  “Skeptics in Love” was recorded at Boulder’s Coupe Studios, produced by the band themselves, and mastered by Tom Baker (who mastered many Nine Inch Nails records).
Website Link: http://www.kosmosmusic.com/
Myspace Link: http://www.myspace.com/kosmosmusic
Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/kosmosmusic?v=info
Reverbnation Link: http://www.reverbnation.com/kosmosmusic
Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

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