K-os, ‘Atlantis: Hymns for the Disco ★★★★★ Considering that this Canadian of Trinidadian descent has been producing innovative music that got its start on the inner-city streets of America, it’s easy to see how this artist can be so many different things to so many different people.
He is a rapper first and foremost, but that doesn’t stop K-os from dabbling in rock, country, soul and pretty much anything else that attracts his refined ear. In addition to rapping and singing, this Toronto native is known to tickle the keys of a piano and even plays a variety of stringed instruments. You’d think that all of these contrasting styles would make “Atlantis” too much of a hodge-podge to make an impact, but he somehow pulls it off.
On the song “Valhalla,” K-os creates a sound very reminiscent of early rockabilly. It’s driving guitars and up-tempo bass line sounds — odd as it seems — like something right out of a Jerry Lee Lewis “Best of” collection.
There are even times on this excellent collection of 14 tracks when K-os reaches way back to 1980s synth-pop for some of his background keyboards and choruses. Imagine the Go-Gos with a drum machine. “Sunday Morning” features the signature ’80s hand clap and a ubiquitous chorus seemingly right off of the Go-Gos’ “Vacation” album.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 26, 2007. Read the original PDF.