“If you were to take a huge, imaginary blender, pour in some pop, rock, folk, alternative, lots of guitars, lots of vocal harmonies, some broken pieces of Kate Bush's The Dreaming CD and hit the PULVERIZE button, the resulting concoction would be the music found on Sophisticated Kink”
Bio
Singer-songwriter Gene-Manuel describes his music in the following manner: “If you were to take a huge, imaginary blender, pour in some pop, rock, folk, alternative, lots of guitars, lots of vocal harmonies, some broken pieces of Kate Bush's The Dreaming CD and hit the PULVERIZE button, the resulting concoction would be the music found on Sophisticated Kink”
Working alongside musical partner Michael Morgan, the two went into the studio with one credo in mind: to make music they wanted to listen to, without the confines of any particular genre or any pre-conceived commercial agenda. This freed them to create music for the sake of creating. The resulting disc is a mélange that takes the listener through the thumping, guitar-driven soundscape of the title track, shoots them into orbit for the electronica-tinged and haunting “8 [Different Ways], then throws them into a mosh-pit for the rock-fueled “C’Mon [Fully Loaded] and ultimately settling them down nice and easy with the acoustic beauty of “Something I’ve Always Wanted”.
Along for the ride are the vestiges of Gene-Manuel’s musical muses such as Kate Bush, Paula Cole and Sophie B. Hawkins. Gene-Manuel now joins the rank of such independent artists that truly listen to their inner voice and lets that voice guide them through the creative process.
Gene-Manuel’s goal always remains the same: to keep writing and performing un-compromised, thought-provoking music with a twist. Music that not only moves the spirit, but causes and involuntary bodily jerk every now and again . . . in a good way of course.
Zeitgeist Review
Well this is certainly different. Imagine of the Scissor Sisters recorded an album of Marilyn Manson songs and you might be close to the vibe of the groovy title track.
Or possibly scarred for life. One or t'other. Then there are the songs where things get slowed right down and it borders on late period Depeche Mode.
But just when you think you're getting comfortable, Gene-Manuel and collaborator Michael Morgan throw you a torch song curveball like "8 (Different Ways)" and you have to throw your recently formed conceptions right out of the window.
Then you get hit by some scuzzed up indie-glam rock on "C'mon (Fully Loaded)" and you start to wonder how it can all be the work of one person. Finally, as if to confirm the madness of what had gone before, things end up with a squalling cover of the Kate Bush song "Under The Ivy".
It's a mad variety show of an album and to be commended for that. So, if you suffer from multiple personality disorders, and are tired from constantly changing records, then this is for you.
zeitgeist-scot.co.uk
SK - Track by Track
1. Sophisticated Kink - I had the vision of a huge club in the Red Light District when I wrote the lyrics and I wanted the song to have that club feel. But, Sophisticated Kink is not a dance CD, therefore, guitars are prevalent on this track, giving it a harder edge.
2. Countless Crowds - There's a perfect balance in this song. It's a melancholy song but there's alot of hope within it and especially in the end when all the voices join in. "Tonight seems to be alright".
3. Gently - "Gently" started out as a lullaby to mothers and it basically still is. They say that a mother always sees their child as a child, no matter how old they get. "Gently" touches upon the fact that no matter how much you love your child, they will grow up, they will struggle and have to go out into the world on their own.
4. Flicker - "Flicker" basically wrote itself in a matter of minutes. Music and lyrics came together perfectly, which is more than can be said for the relationship in the actual song.
5. 8 [Different Ways] - "8 [Different Ways]" is another one of those songs that Michael and I have worked on for a few years and has gone through various incarnations. For Sophisticated Kink, it has turned into this hauntingly beautiful ballad.
A couple of days before the CD went to mastering, we got my mom Regina to join us in the studio. The words she's singing came to me right before she stepped in front of the mike and she gave a wonderful performance.
6. Reminded - Another song that has been with us for quite some time. Michael wrote it years ago and we performed it with Something Bliss. This new version really captures so much of the underlying pain in the song.
7. Forgotten - "Forgotten" was born in the midst of this nation's worst natural disaster - Katrina. Days upon days of seeing the horror that was happening in these united states of America. I watched so many people suffering, needlessly. And as I watched one of my favorite cities in the world, New Orleans, drown in not only water but misery and despair, "Forgotten" came to me.
It's a song that starts out angry but ends up strong and powerful and with a sense of hope and pride.
8. Perfectly Still, Violently Searching - I really wanted "Perfectly Still, Violently Searching" to have that Dreaming, Kate Bush feeling. We weren't quite sure how we were going to go about doing that until we were in the actual recording studio for vocals.
The song took over and became what it needed to be with very little interference from either of us. Kate's vibe was definitely in the room when I recorded the background vocals at the very end of the song. I don't think I'll ever be able to duplicate them.
9. C'Mon [Fully Loaded] - This is our short-little-ditty song. It was written in like 15 minutes and it's meant to be some good 'ole rock and roll fun.
Some have asked what "the other side" means and I always answer with, "it means whatever you want it to mean." I'd rather let each listener come up with their own interpretations.
10. Something I've Always Wanted - I thought this was the perfect way to close the cd. It's not only the complete and total opposite of the title track but it's also just a nice and easy, calm way to end the SK experience. I wrote it in one of those moments of self-pity where I thought nobody understood me and blah blah blah.
11. Under The Ivy (Bonus Track) - Let me start by saying that there is absolutely no way that anybody, ANYBODY can improve on the original version of "Under The Ivy". The combination of Kate Bush and piano is a powerful one and if you don't believe me, please run out and get Hounds of Love (the new version with "Under The Ivy" on it) and definitely get her new CD Aerial for "A Coral Room".
But, aside from this fact, I wanted to do my own version of the song and I approached Michael to help me with it. So with Kate Bush Complete on hand and a copy of the original, we came up with this version.
Sophisticated Kink Review
Gene-Manuel is an odd, but persuasive new voice. His debut begins with the downright funky and catchy title track.
"Countless Crowds" is a song that exposes the singer's strong voice. It's a haunting almost-ballad with a soulful slant.
"8(Different Ways)" is a blue-tinted song resting on a simple melody. Gene-Manuel's vocal is gorgeously pleading and guest Regina's passages are striking.
"Forgotten" has a touch of gospel at the beginning, but soon turns into glam rock. It's further proof that Gene-Manuel is hard to pinpoint musically. He uses a host of influences and makes them his own.
The closing track is a cover of Kate Bush's b-side "Under The Ivy" done in an impressive fashion.
Gene-Manuel's made a record with something for nearly everyone.
Review by Anna Maria Stjarnell
CollectedSounds.com
Sophisticated Kink Review
Great mix of genres in each track. The production quality excels expectation in alt/rock. Alternative seems to be the major genre and works well with rock/pop beats. There is slight familiarity especially in the vocals but originality is well expressed.
Review by Bert Gagnon
Neon Productions Radio
Sophisticated Kink Review
I think Sophisticated Kink is a special album. I had never heard of Gene-Manuel, but now I do, and it is a pleasant acquaintance. Pleasant is perhaps not the right word. It is an extraordinary acquaintance. Why extraordinary? Listen to the music on this CD and you will know. Music with power and feeling.
A good song is the first track, “Sophisticated Kink”. Nice bass lines at the start and the end of the song. Also, the forcing drums take you and you will listen to it. Like the other songs, there is a dynamic difference in the songs itself. You don’t expect that and that’s why the songs are exciting.
Review by Jan Nederveen
Radio Heerde (Netherlands)