Press

Hello Again Kind Stranger, reviewed by Cyrus Rhodes, Muses Muse, Seattle, WA

“Hello Again Kind Stranger” is a very impressive musical production from start to finish. The music is clean, goes down smooth, & the messages are upbeat, & sung from a very passionate & wise perspective. It’s strong suit – the wide musical variety & musical warmth of Alden & company. He possesses enough musical talent & songwriting prowess to be extremely dangerous. The musicianship is first rate. The vocal harmonies & melodic accents are brilliantly placed & extremely well crafted. The messages are packed to the hilt with rich conventional wisdom offering hope & compassion along the way. As a listener I remained entertained the entire time. “Hello Again Kind Stranger” goes down smooth, & will not only entertain you; it will also lift your spirits in the process.    

Fan Reaction

By Gentry Bronson, pianist, singer/songwriter

RECKLESS FLAMES Performance
Sleeping Lady, Fairfax, CA October 29, 2010

 

Hey Kyle,

Phenomenal set last night. You guys are my new favorite local band. It was like listening to the Red House Painters, Richard Thompson, Wilco & The Minutemen all combined into one thing. Fantastic. Simply fantastic.

Thanks for the sounds,
Gentry

 

Review of Hello Again Kind Stranger (2008) by Bob Johnstone

Singer-Songwriter Kyle Alden has left blank the iTunes “genre” listing for his new album, Hello Again Kind Stranger. That may well be deliberate, since the eleven songs on the album defy simple categorization. They run the gamut from folk, to rock, pop, country, and blues. You could call his music Americana, though Californiana might be a more accurate label, since Kyle hails from the Golden State. Specifically Marin County, spiritual home of the Grateful Dead and the San Anselmo Albino Squirrel Society (of which he is a charter member).

Dirty Linen Review of Rainshadow

Kyle Thayer Rainshadow [Watershed Productions RS-01 (1993)] “Divided between Thayer originals and traditional tunes, these songs are a refreshing blend of modern instrumental music with Celtic influences. Thayer is never less than superb on cittern (octave mandolin) as he wanders among jigs, waltzes and reels with the able assistance of guitarist Mark Ungar (ex-Phoenyx) and Scott Thunes (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) on a double bass that levels out the higher-pitched elements of the recording.