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The Kalance Theory project started at a recording engineering school. While honing their recording skills, and jamming at nightly studio sessions, Ryan and Nick started a friendship, that turned into a musical collaboration. Comprised of Ryan Keeton from Kentucky & Nick Mac of California, the duo melds a collaboration of Indie rock sensibility, with a knack for delivering undeniable hooks.
Pensive, perceptive, intelligent, honest and emotive roots folk-rock. The songs on The Kalance Theory’s “I’m Ok,” resonate beautifully with the duo’s rueful writing and some fine musical backing.
Some of the best music in rock was made in a folksy revival during the late 60′s and early 70′s, as artists were simultaneously celebrating the free love era and coming to terms with its limits and dark nadir. This time of trepidation and introspection produced albums like Music From Big Pink, Astral Weeks, the White Album, John Wesley Harding, Sweet Baby James, and American Beauty. Kalance Theory seem to have inhaled the spirit and substance from that era, reproducing its haunting ambiguities.
One thing that stands out, above all, is how the vocals rise and fall over the warm tones of the hollow-body guitars and spacious mixes. Ryan expresses heartache and human emotion with incredible honesty and straight forwardness. His voice, powerfully gritty and warm, with traces of early Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.
There is a lot of broody, dark content on the tracks, but its never dull nor dreary, just very real and earnest. You get the feeling the duo really feel what they write about. The musicianship is also excellent and the songs are well written from start to finish throughout the tracks on “I’m Ok”.
Even though you’ll be hypnotized by the catchy hooks, on the very first listen, you’ll need to hear this ensemble of tracks, at least three or four times before the consistency, poignancy and depth of the songs can be fully absorbed.
“I’m Ok” is a raw, stripped-down set of music ranging from Rock, Folk Rock, Alt Country to Mellow Rock. Ryan and Nick are brilliant songwriters, with a seemingly unending stream of music filling their heads. This collection of songs perfectly demonstrate the duo’s successful amalgamation of styles and musical competence, and there is something here for everyone.
Must hear tracks for me, include the atmospheric and emotional ballad, “Sorry Just Don’t Get It Done”, the soulfully folksy “Raise The Dead” and the beat-driven slowburner, “I’m Ok”.
Just grab a listen to this Ep now. The lyrics are touching, heart spoken, and mature, while the music is focused, beautiful and perfectly played.
The cherry on top, of course, is Ryan Keeton’s infectious voice. Much like the aforementioned Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, Ryan’s vocal chords are hard to resist for any set of ears. He could sing a list off the Yellow Pages and engage your soul beyond despair.
Kalance Theory is highly recommended listening.
Nick Mac & Ryan Keeton of Kalance Theory
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