Rock/Review Kilravock - Incompatibility / Working Class Hero

Kilravock is the solo project of Omaha area producer Steven W. Smith, of The Alliterates, Lucid Fugue, Megaton, and Valley of Shadows. This project takes a vast array of influences from stoner/doom rock, heavy rock, progressive rock, post-metal, post-punk, industrial, and even some EDM.

“Incompatibility / Working Class Hero” by Kilravock is a powerful and impactful release that combines activism with self-reflection. His next album, “Just Another Wonderful Day,” is introduced with this two-song offering, which consists of a strong original and a transformational cover. It is a moving examination of social alienation, particularly from the perspective of neurodiversity within a capitalist system.

Steve's multi-instrumental skill and poignant lyrics are on full display in the original song, "Incompatibility." The emotional burden of navigating a system that frequently marginalizes originality is captured in the song, which was written for people who feel alienated in both society and the job. The song turns into an anthem for those looking for understanding and unity thanks to its rich orchestration and unfiltered, passionate vocals.

These themes are further developed in Kilravock's song of John Lennon's classic “Working Class Hero,” which also features bandmates Anna Schmidt, David Dick, and Sean Soucy of The Alliterates. The updated version has a profound effect, paying tribute to Lennon's legacy while introducing a new, cooperative dynamic. Schmidt's harmonies and Dick's vocal performance provide another level of intensity, fostering a sense of urgency and cohesion.

This release is a call to action for social justice and worker rights, not simply music. Kilravock highlights the ongoing significance of these themes in the modern world by combining an original song with John Lennon's classic denunciation of systematic inequity.

“Incompatibility / Working Class Hero” is a profoundly intimate yet widely relatable release that serves as a reminder of the ability of music to provoke thought, provoke controversy, and bring people together. Those who support the struggle for a more equitable society should listen to this.

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