Pleasure Of Resistance by Kissing Tigers: A Wild Ride Through Indie Vibes and Heartfelt Chaos
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Kissing Tigers’ Pleasure Of Resistance isn’t your run-of-the-mill rock album. Released in 2004, this gem from the US dives headfirst into a mix of Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, and that special kind of scrappy energy only found in bands who clearly don’t care about fitting neatly into boxes. With labels like Loud + Clear Records and Slowdance Records backing them, it’s no surprise this record feels both polished and raw at the same time. And yeah, Dave McKay (vocals, guitar, synth wizard) is basically running the show here, but trust me, he doesn’t hog all the spotlight.
Now, onto the tracks. Let’s talk about “I Died In A Mall” first because how could you not? The title alone screams mid-2000s existential crisis meets suburban boredom, right? It’s got this driving beat courtesy of Dan Harshman on drums, paired with some gnarly basslines from Mark Legaspi that just pull you in. But what sticks is McKay’s voice—it’s equal parts snarky and vulnerable, like he’s whispering secrets directly into your ear while simultaneously shouting them across an empty parking lot. There’s something haunting yet oddly comforting about it, kinda like when you realize you’ve been walking around a mall for hours without actually buying anything. You’re lost, sure, but hey, at least there’s air conditioning.
Then there’s “Beachy Head,” which hits different every single time I listen to it. Maybe it’s the way the guitars shimmer before crashing down like waves during a storm. Or maybe it’s the lyrics, cryptic enough to make you feel smart for catching their meaning but vague enough to keep you guessing. This track feels like standing on the edge of something big—like literally staring off a cliff—and deciding whether to jump or just sit there and enjoy the view. Producer David Newton nails the balance between chaos and calm here; it’s messy in all the right ways, like life itself.
What makes Pleasure Of Resistance stand out isn’t just its sound—it’s the vibe. Listening to it feels like flipping through someone’s old journal, full of half-finished thoughts, random sketches, and moments of pure clarity. Tracks like “Rooms By The Hour” and “October 17th, 1989” throw curveballs left and right, keeping you hooked even if you can’t always figure out why. And honestly? That’s part of the charm.
Here’s the kicker though: for an album so rooted in resistance and rebellion, it ends up feeling strangely intimate. Like, you didn’t just listen to it—you lived through it. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back to it. Or maybe it’s because “So Stay In Love Remix” slaps harder than most love songs ever will. Either way, Kissing Tigers created something that sticks to your soul long after the last note fades.
Final thought? If Pleasure Of Resistance were a person, it’d probably be that friend who shows up uninvited to parties, says weird stuff, and somehow becomes everyone’s favorite guest by midnight.
