Experiment On A Flat Plane Kansas

Experiment On A Flat Plane

Soulhat

Terminus Records, 2000

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 01/06/2001

Alternative-country seems to be the "in" thing these days. Notthat I'm complaining; many of the bands who advocate this style Ihave found to be quite enjoyable, and their style of music mightjust open up alternative music fans' ears to country (and viceversa).

Soulhat is the latest band I'd place in this quickly-growingcategory. Their latest disc, Experiment On A Flat Plane, shows that their approach tothis genre (which includes a little more humor and a little morefocus on the alternative side) can not only work, but workwell.

Led by vocalist/guitarist Kevin McKinney, Soulhat plow through12 such numbers (inclufing two shorter instrumental "bookends" onthe disc), keeping the listener interested and entertained at thesame time. Tracks like "Plastic," "Mailbox" and "Cash" all willmake the listener wonder why Soulhat hasn't become a bigger nameyet. (Who knows? That all could change with this album.)

But there's plenty of light-hearted humor as well on Experiment On A Flat Plane. Take "WNBA" for example -possibly the first song around to mention the relatively-newwomen's basketball league. Our hero laments the loss of hisbeloved, who has gone to play basketball - and it's kind of funnyto hear him bemoaning the fact he can't get free season tickets.(The only drawback I could see is, because this song has thestrongest country roots, it might re-affirm the stereotype thatcountry music is all about heartbreak, drinking and cheating.)