Album Review: Kevin Nichols – I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die

Orange County’s Kevin Nichols began his self produced songwriting career at the tender age of thirteen, now eight years later he has honed his sound and he released his latest full length, I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die, via Open Door Records just shy of a month ago. I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die consolidates Kevin Nichols growing reputation as a prolific purveyor of left field hooks that are submerged in a world of fuzz ridden guitars, with the whole package underpinned by a driving rhythm section and a dark disturbing undertone.

Killing Insects, the lead single from the album, starts things off with a sinister fuzzy feel, and this mood that permeates the entirety of the album. I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die is not an album that has stand out moments or bright upbeat singles that you’d pick for a playlist, this is an album that comes across as a carefully constructed full length, and one that is meant to be heard as an album rather than on shuffle. The dark twisted indie undercurrent and the blasts of distorted post grunge guitar blend together perfectly with Kevin Nichols own unique style to create and a disquieting and unsettling soundtrack.

Kevin Nichols latest release possess elements from the likes of The Jesus And Mary Chain and Grandaddy, but accompanying the dark indie feel is the intense guitar attack of Mudhoney and the whole package has a dark undercurrent running through it making this a unique package. At times I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die is a difficult listen, but it’s one that worthy of your time, and after an hour in the company of this album you can’t help but find yourself falling for it’s dark charms.

You can purchase I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die via Bandcamp here

The ltd edition cassette of I Don’t Wanna Die But I Wanna Die can be ordered via Open Door Records here