antiMusic.com: Highland Kites

Highland Kites - Let Me Run EP

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Highland Kites vocalist Marissa Lamar can be a little precious, and when she's at her best, as on one song here titled "Freckles," it's really a beautiful thing. On it, she's backed by lovely acoustic guitar and simple percussion that brings The Velvet Underground to mind. With a track that also incorporates unobtrusive strings, Lamar asks her lover to count every freckle on her skin. It's a veiled cry for greater intimacy. Of course, it's impractical to count each skin spot. But it's the thought, of course, that counts.

"Plastic Towns" is another highlight. Lamar sings about the artificial nature of her hometown, Los Angeles. The song's guitar part has a beautiful, Johnny Marr ring to it, too. Lamar may be dissing L.A., but she sure sounds pretty doing so.

Even though "Humiliated" features some slightly noisy electric guitar notes, Lamar never loses her gentle spirit. She's a smart and talented performer, and Highland Kites floats on a welcome cool breeze with their Let Me Run EP.