Kaleidoscope Superior

Album Reviews

David McCreary

Most Christian rock bands would love to say their music is unique. Unlike anything else on the market. One of a kind. After a quick listen to the eclectic Kaleidoscope Superior by Earthsuit, you'll realize this band can't be pigeonholed into any single category. And you won't see any sounds-like-so-and-so comparisons with these guys.

If you're looking for some simple ear candy, fuhgeddaboutit. You won't find it here. With an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink hybrid fusion of funk, jazz, reggae, rock, rap, hip-hop, and pop (whew!), Earthsuit delivers a blow-away debut recording. Says keyboardist and background vocalist Paul Meany, “When we play for a first-time audience, their usual reaction is an open mouth and a 'What the heck is this?' We love to catch people's attention, and we love to catch them off guard.” Mission accomplished, bro!

Earthsuit could be the most unconventional Christian band to hit the scene since All Star United. No other group, to my knowledge, boasts a 3-D website or such a smattering of vibey tunes in one release.

The project was produced by David Leonard, who's worked with the likes of John Mellencamp, Toto, and Prince. His expertise manifests itself in the end product: a beautifully cohesive album that's careful not to get lost in the minutiae of its incredible diversity.

Standout track “Whitehorse” superimposes apocalyptic images and modern-day reality, creating a quasi-ethereal, techno sound akin to nothing I've ever heard. It's one part hip-hop, one part jazz, and one part pop. Another stellar cut, “Said the Sun to the Shine,” is a melodic masterpiece and contains a symbolic dialogue between the sun and its light. “I think the deeper implications become pretty clear as you listen to it,” says lead vocalist Adam LaClave.

There are also songs aplenty that will have your head bobbing and your feet tapping. Perhaps the best piece of all is “Wonder,” a shimmery funk offering about “embracing core realities that are beyond our understanding,” explains Meany. “Sometimes it feels like a waste of time trying to figure it all out. That shouldn't discourage us, though. It should put us in a state of awe. This is a song about embracing that awe and adoring the wonder.”

If there's anything negative to be said about this project, it's that listeners will undoubtedly encounter sensory overload. There's just so doggone much happening that two ears can't possibly take it all in. Nevertheless, Earthsuit's release is a sonic sensation in every sense imaginable. Don't miss it.

— David McCreary

Shawna T.

In a time when the integrity and originality of Christian music seem to be squelched in pursuit of the formula that creates the hottest new act, Earthsuit's debut album, Kaleidoscope Superior, crashes through the hype and reminds the world what creativity in music truly is. It has been a long time since I have come across such an amazing and powerful debut album from a band that almost seems like an overnight sensation. In reality, they have been together for five years and have released two independent EPs. After they landed a spot at the Cornerstone Festival last year, they were signed to Sparrow Records.

Earthsuit's sound is a diverse blend of musical styles, including jazz, reggae, hard rock, hip-hop, techno, and more, all with a unique set of vocals added on top. The result sounds something like taking the Newsboys, Bob Marley, the Echoing Green, P.O.D., Project 86, dc Talk, U2, and Soul Coughing and throwing them all into a blender. Even that mix fails to capture Earthsuit's originality.

“We're not simply cramming all these different styles into our music for the sake of proving we can play complex arrangements,” says bass player Roy Mitchell. “For us, it's about trying, in some small way, to reflect the creativity of God. That's really how the album title ties in. The 'kaleidoscope superior' is the diversity of God, all the things He's shown us and taught us over a period of five years.”

Each song on this album is entrancing and paints a scene for the listener. Songs like “Whitehorse” capture the story of the book of Revelation in the closest thing to a ballad Earthsuit has recorded. You're reminded of the power and glory of God in “Sky Flashings.” “One Time” seems to be the band having a party for Jesus. My personal favorite song, “Osmosis Land,” is a chilling song that reminds me of the battles a Christian faces.

Throughout this entire album, Earthsuit portrays how small and insignificant humans truly are and how great and glorious our God is. That excites me. Serving such an amazing God helps remind me how to live. Mitchell best expressed the mission of the band when he said, “If nothing else, I hope that when people come away from listening to the album or seeing us play live they get a sense of the passion and excitement there is in serving Him. We feel blessed to be able to pour out this gift.” Listening to this CD is truly a humbling experience.

— Shawna T.