Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Anthem of Hearts by Peter Kernel


Anthem of Hearts cover art

Artist: Peter Kernel
Title: Anthem of Hearts
Catalogue Number: Africantape
Review Format: 45
Release Year: 2011



There it was, that most desirable of things. A lone seven incher of delectably arcane one sided vinyl, that is. Precious jewels, after all, you can get on any high street but Peter Kernel (a Swiss Canadian art-punk trio consisting of Aris Bassetti, Barbara Lehnhoff and Ema Matis) are more a back alley kind of band.

They are the nihilistic sound of summer ("Anthem of Hearts" starts with the line "we don't care about having something fast…) introducing discord where melody would fear to tread. That said, there is something endearing about their arthouse approach to offbeat power pop. Lopsided rhythms power the song along until the, deliberately I assume, minimalist chorus when we are all supposed to join in and sing along. Oddly enough, you do get the urge to sing along. Peter Kernel, you see, are not without that certain charm that entices the ears into accepting something that said ears would normally discard.

"Bow before me", said the God of indifference and nobody cared.  "You should care" say Peter Kernel.
 


www.peterkernel.com
Reviewer:
Review Date: July 17 2011