Stephen Gibb (guitars/ synth/ vocals), Gil Bitton (vocals), Gordon Myers (bass) and Jean-Pierre Espiritusanto (drums) make up Kill The Robot, an independent alternative rock band from South Florida. They formed after the passing of Stephen’s life-term friend and producer Brett ‘Cosmo’ Thorngren who died by suicide in Georgia during the pandemic. Their self-titled debut album is loaded with an eclectic mix of punk, rock, metal, with a dash of electric elegance. The name Kill The Robot is a reaction to current times and obsessions with AI, technology, and humanity.
The album opens with `Mothership` a song dedicated to their fallen friend Brett and it’s a fairly celestial listen. It evolves gently and has a kind of dreaminess about it. There were some delightful percussive elements that led into a brief understated guitar solo as the track emerged. The title may be a metaphor for their friend returning to the cosmos after his passing. There`s a further tribute to another friend, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins with `Western Shores` which has a thumping drumbeat at it`s heart on this almost prog rock tinged offering.
‘See The World’ features guest background vocals from Stephen’s dad Barry Gibb and is another dedication to Brett with a song about contemplation and not taking things for granted. It`s a rhythmic effervescent pop offering which will certainly have you nodding along to. We have a fairly reflective composition in `Better Than` with vocals that have heart-rending texture.
`Summer Days` does indeed have a summery vibe with a kind of xylophone type percussive beat running throughout with a restrained rock ambience and contemplative lyrics. The guys finally let rip on `No13ise` which for me tips it`s hat to Muse and their style of expansive alternative rock tinged with electronica.
Although the title of `Agave` conjures up a succulent plant with rosettes of narrow spiny leaves and tall flower spikes, native to the southern US and tropical America, the only reflection towards that is that the musical soundscape shared which is quite spiky and luscious. There`s a rolling pulsing beat to `Right Now` with vocals that sound quite remote at times as if shared through a megaphone with delightfully restrained guitar riffs.
`Drug` is a song about relationships with a heavy soothing illusory quality. The album closes with the ‘Atomic Haze’ which grows as an acorn does into a tree, the song advances gently and rhythmically with various spoken word segments splayed throughout on route.
There was plenty on Kill the Robot to enjoy and as a debut it was an appealing and interesting introduction to this quartet and what they have to offer.
Rating 8.5/10
