Kites Without Strings by Sentinel: A Little Gem That Got Lost in 2008
Alright, let me just say this—Kites Without Strings is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. It’s not flashy or overproduced; it feels more like a quiet conversation with someone who has something real to say. Released back in 2008 (yeah, ancient times, I know), this indie rock/ethereal hybrid from Sentinel came out under their own label, which honestly makes sense. This isn’t the kind of music big labels were churning out back then anyway.
Now, if you’re into dreamy vibes mixed with crunchy guitars and lyrics that make your brain go “huh,” this album might be right up your alley. Tracks like Spades and Skylark are the ones that stuck with me for some reason. Let me break ‘em down quick.
Spades kicks things off with this brooding energy—it’s moody but not in an “emo teenager” way. More like… introspective? The guitar riff loops around in your head long after the song ends, and there’s this rawness to the vocals that feels super genuine. Like, dude’s not trying too hard to impress anyone, ya know? He's just laying it all out there.
Then there’s Skylark, which is probably my fave track. It starts off slow, almost hypnotic, with these layered harmonies that feel kinda ethereal, like you're floating through clouds or whatever. But then BAM—it builds into this soaring crescendo that hits you right in the chest. Every time I hear it, I get goosebumps. It’s one of those songs where you can tell they put everything they had into making it perfect without overthinking it.
The other tracks ain’t bad either. Ohlone has this haunting melody that sticks with you, and Avalanche closes the album with a punch—loud, chaotic, but somehow still satisfying. Honestly, every song brings something different to the table, even though the whole thing feels cohesive.
What really strikes me about Kites Without Strings is how unapologetically human it feels. There’s no auto-tune nonsense or polished-to-death production here. You can practically hear the dust settling in the room as they recorded these tracks. And yeah, maybe that’s why it flew under the radar when it first dropped. No flashy marketing campaign, no big-name features—just good ol’ DIY spirit.
Anyway, here’s the weird part: listening to this album now feels kinda nostalgic, even though I wasn’t even aware of it back in 2008. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of simpler times before Spotify playlists took over our lives. Or maybe it’s just proof that great music doesn’t always need a spotlight to shine.
So yeah, give Kites Without Strings a spin if you’re tired of hearing the same old stuff. Just don’t blame me if you end up zoning out during Skylark and accidentally staring at the ceiling for twenty minutes straight.
