Trial Kennedy specialise in modern alternative rock, but as evidenced by Living Undesigned the band themselves are so much more. The trappings of alt-rock are very much present in the grooves of this record – lain heavily across its dark edge, the slightly off-kilter rhythms and the band’s non-traditional rock chord structures. It also rocks incredibly hard when it needs to.
But, crucially, there’s also some serious variation between light and shade, giving Living Undesigned the texture it needs to stand out above the much-crowded pack. There are intricate layers ever-present in the tunes and, given the departures from traditional song configuration, much needed diversity. And, of course, there are some damn fine songs.
Trial Kennedy also touch upon some new musical territories that you wouldn’t expect on this, their sophomore effort. They delve into the more jangly, poppiness of indie rock on occasion, (which may actually gain them even more attention from triple j). They also get a little garagey at times ( Exology), while Best Of Tomorrow actually sounds reminiscent of short-lived American alternative rock ‘supergroup’ Army Of Anyone (featuring members of Filter/Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots, who released one killer album a few years back and then split).
Then we come to the mid album dynamic moment, the dreamy, atmospheric, almost Pink Floyd-esque My Own, which is incredibly well handled, and executed so proficiently that it’s not funny. It’s a definite album highlight, and quite possibly worth the price of admission alone.
Trial Kennedy took their time writing and recording the follow up to their debut of 2008, and it seriously shows. Living Undesigned is a very bold statement, a masterstroke even, and should assist to further the already illustrious reputation of Australian alternative rock.
