Colorblind Quarterback showcases an eclectic range of sounds, from fervent alt-rock to theatrical art-pop, marking a consuming evolution for kingcaid. The project of former What Made Milwaukee Famous frontman Michael Kingcaid, kingcaid shifts focus from personal confessions toward biting societal indictments. Through cynical bridges and clever sarcasm, he delivers a sharp, unredacted magnifying glass on modern institutional corruption and societal disappointment amidst consistently melodic productions.
“Ain’t That Nice” opens the album with a pulsing, ardent rock precision. Thumping doses of heavy distortion and clamoring percussion meld into a playful vocal emergence — “I see England, I see France…” — that quickly accelerates into more blistering, intensifying pulses. The momentum is palpable throughout, arriving with satiating impact into a second half that infuses shimmers of keys prior to the fierce rock send-off. It’s an impactful, rousing opener, actually serving as one of the album’s heavier tracks. Other efforts like “Nothing” do return later with a vigor-full array of heavy guitars and fierce rhythms, succeeding just as well. “etc. forever” is another rock-forward gem, fusing psych-rock and grungy tones for a soaring, fuzz-filled warmness.
“Purgatory” embraces an eerier, jangly mystique, the initial crackling of thunder moving into a devilishly foreboding allure — with touches of bluesy piano, fuzzy bass, and artful lyricism. Its lyrical landscape is ominous in its sinking-ship imagery, using “forecast is getting worse” proclamations and “wool to warm your eyes” figurations to subvert protective imagery into a sharp critique of systemic manipulation. “Here We Go Again” continues the album’s eclectic start, immediately charismatic in its deep swells of brass and ensuing acoustic-led ruminations — dazzling throughout with an expressive chamber-pop expanse, with theatrical vocal hooks, twinkling piano, and bellowing brass being absolute delights.
Buzzing synth bounces and debonair vocals then entice throughout “Drop That Man,” its piano, synths, and catchy rhythm sections moving into a suavely replay-inducing segment: “I’ve got plenty supply if he’s got any demands / If he can look me in the eye, I’m gonna drop that man.” The aesthetic sounds like a grooving mixture of The Cars and Perfume Genius. Another standout track, “Nothing” expands from understated, angsty guitar strums into sweltering pushes of distortion, channeling an anthemic alt-rock splendor that oozes ’90s nostalgia in its heady guitar tones and “I’m feeling fine” vocal stirrings.
Equally adept at heavy rockers as he is a spacious crafter of atmospheric blissfulness, kingcaid also excels with the gorgeous “Chased by Shadows,” a psych-folk mesmerizer with twangy guitars, brooding atmospherics, and quivering vocal entrancement, showing shades of Nick Cave. “I could feel something following me,” the vocals admit prior to a resonating title-bearing chilliness and “darkness will not be outrun” finality. Excelling across a variety of impassioned rockers, expansive art-pop immersion, and twangy atmospherics, Colorblind Quarterback is a fantastic full-length success from kingcaid, representing his third solo album.
