Performer Magazine, Shawn M. Haney, 10-01-14 Indie rock, fuzz punk, a mixture of new wave and garage delight... Frontman/guitarist/singer Shane Blem and drummer Saren Oliver put together this delightfully charged self-titled release with a fervent sense of independence and new wave fashion. Kool Stuff Katie is a remarkably hip duet from Portland, Oregon who continues the tradition of garage punk and pop rock, redelivering the powers of past grand acts such as the Ramones, The White Stripes, The Strokes and OK Go. With pizzazz, style and grand kinetic energy, this duet brings out the best that Portland's indie scene offers, including the compelling and free-spirited single, the opener "Hard Girl to Know" and the fascinating, melodic fuzz guitars and enticing synths of "Show Me". This ten-song album explores a great deal of sonic and lyrical territory, excellent for passing time reflecting on a road trip, or a grand party with friends. "Simple" buzzes with adventurous guitars and dashing, dynamic harmony vocals. "What Do You Say" is charming, haunting in its creative and dazzling virtuosity. Roots and Branches, Mike Davies, 10-12-14 Based out of probably a dozen Portland garages, Shane Blem and Saren Oliver play fuzzed up garage rock with both feet on the distortion pedals and the drums kept to the basic beats. The reference points aren't hard to identify, the Ramones on Hard Girl To Know and the juddery Just A Thing, the Beatles (and some Cheap Trick) on the power pop bounce of Cars and I Can't See and the 60s Spector meets CBGBs girl group pop of Show Me and the slow swaying, organ backed What Do You Say. Simple could have come from one of the Nuggets collections of psychedelic fuzz rock while Obscene nods to the early Who before some Jesus and Mary Chain honey drips across the acoustic closer Rewind. As the Raveonettes will tell you, it's a limited, but crowded market, but KSK have the songs and the vibrancy to stand out from the herd. Babysue, Don Seven, 10-01-14 Wow, this one is right up our alley (!!). Kool Stuff Katie is the Portland, Oregon-based duo of Shane Blem and Saren Oliver. Blem found Oliver on Craigslist and the two have been making music together ever since. The band has been making a name for themselves in clubs in and around Portland and now, with the release of their first full-length album, they're hoping to transfer that success to other parts of the country and beyond. That shouldn't be too difficult, as this self-titled debut is a totally fun and exciting spin. Produced by Steve Fisk (whose name seems to be popping up all over the place lately), this album has a nice direct sound and the tracks totally rock. The tunes are upbeat and uplifting and the vocal melodies are simply wonderful. This is the kinda stuff that really makes you wanna move. Ten groovy cuts here including "Hard Girl To Know," "Three Shades of Red," "Simple," and "Rewind."