Lunch of Champions

Hojas Rojas | Kill Me I Love You

Hojas Rojas | Sunbeam

When I listen to Hojas Rojas’ new album, “Kill Me I Love You”, I am immediately reminded of noble princes climbing mountains, battling dragons, and toiling against inner demons all in the name of saving virgin princesses. This album is noble, indeed.

It tells the tale of a long journey through peril and into uncertainty. A tale of love. Of burning desire. It speaks of days past where you weren’t so afraid of telling the truth. Noble days. Sad days. Days darkened by abuses. But always at the end of the day there was hope, right? That seems to be the question that “Kill Me I Love You” is asking. Is there hope?

This story is set up on the album’s first track, You Don’t Know Me At All, where lead singer, D.J. Kukielka sings:

Please forgive me when I speak
when my heart is strong and my mind is weak
Youre the only one I love
I let you down

Through beautifully layered pianos, strings, guitars, and vocals all set to rock solid drum beats, Hojas Rojas strings together quite a tale.

Kukielka’s vocals do an excellent job of covering a wide range of emotions, while Tim Hovanetz keeps things together on drums. Manuel Guzman (bass) and T.J. Shaffer (guitar) put forth notable efforts that really allow Kukielka’s vocals to soar.

This album is mixed brilliantly and features an ambiance that is scary yet strangely comforting.

If The Legend of Zelda were a feature length movie directed by Ang Lee, this album would be the soundtrack.

(Above: Link does battle to save the honor of his true love.)

Songs like Rainfall, Under the Covers, and Sunbeam would blare as Link tears through red and blue monsters en route to saving his true love. Meanwhile, These Days and the album’s title track tell the tale of his burning desire to find his true love.

On These Days, Kukielka sings of the daily battle:

These days we’re fighting the same war we’ve fought a million times before.
And every time we lose.

Also, as a side note, the intro to Sunbeam sounds a little like the music from the boats in Super Mario Brothers 3. How awesome is that?!

(Above: Remember those boats from Super Mario Brothers 3?)

Hojas Rojas will be hosting a cd-release party at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis on Friday, July 14th with Action vs. Action & Thin Man. Please visit their website for more information.

Summary: Hojas Rojas has put together something special here.