By Zac Taylor
Managing Editor

myspace.com/thekin

Aussie pop-rockers Isaac and Thorry Koren are a long way from home. Having been on the road much more often than off of it, the development of the brothers’ songwriting and musicianship is more than apparent on their new disc, THE UPSide. They have been hitting the Boston market a few times a year since 2006: starting as buskers on Newbury Street, graduating to places like TT The Bear’s and the Paradise, and now on to places like the Red Room at Café 939 and the House of Blues, opening for some heavy hitters like Rusted Root and Rod Stewart and larger venues. They even have teenage girls lining the stage who wear homemade t-shirts with the names of their favorite Kin tunes written in glitter paint on them–which is perhaps their greatest accolade to date.

Although the band is NYC-based, the Kin recorded their new record in California. “We wanted a brighter and more melodic sound and we thought the West Coast would bring something we couldn’t find in NYC,” says Isaac.

The first track, “Waterbreaks,” is as epically catchy as anything U2 did on the Joshua Tree, with the appropriate shift in accent. The brothers alternate singing lyrical lines, and then harmonize on the choruses, which creates a signature, soulful dynamic that was all over their previous release, Rise & Fall. Are they singing to one another? Against each other? The tension and release throughout these tunes is enigmatic to say the least.

There is an honesty in the songwriting that may be slightly obscured by the chic, pop production. But the simple Australian sentiments and soulful delivery of the tunes on the UPSide are the endearing ingredients that truly shine in the live show.

Their hard work and extensive touring has had a resounding effect on both their fan-base and captivating performance. Catch the Kin at the House of Blues this Sunday, Nov 22 alongside Josh Radin and the Watson Twins.