This review is by DCist Staff Writer Jacques Ntonme.

It is common for rockers to dabble in guitar albums. The Metallicas and Van Halens of our period, however, rarely truly achieve the guitar album because they get caught up in silly solos, vamping, or their own long hair. Other heirs to the empty throne of Hendrix, such as Bloc Party, rock but lack radically novel ambitions. Perhaps it’s because they’re focusing on making rock music so much. Which is where Kaki King seems to come in. Hailing from Atlanta by way of NYC, Kaki (yes that is her real name) sidesteps the entire rock question entirely. The wild, jazzy, and melodic “voice” of her guitar on her first album, Everybody Loves You, challenges the rock n roll cred-tocracy with its own brand of fire and wit. The medium of this message was Kaki’s finger-style picking, two-handed tapping, string rubbing, and occasional above-the-neck finger play. Seeing her perform is more akin to enjoying a jazz or blues veteran rather than a rock show. You really watch her play when you see her, you wonder how she makes those sounds and how they manage to be strung together when you listen to the album.

On the strength of her impressive 2003 debut, Kaki King was signed to Epic Records. Epic released her second album, Legs to Make Us Longer, which combined an expansion of her earlier guitar innovations with the assistance of new instruments and guest performers. Though the album was well received, earning her a cover on Acoustic Guitar magazine, she had an acrimonious split with Sony BMG, Epic’s owner. With an album of new material waiting to be released and Kaki between labels, she has been touring to keep active.