Kissing Other Ppl: "Kissing Other Ppl" (2025) CD Review

Kissing Other Ppl is the new project by Vivian Leva, Riley Calcagno (those two usually performing as Viv & Riley) and Rachel Baiman. Interestingly, as these artists are known in part for their songwriting, the group's debut album, a self-titled release, contains all covers. And not all are songs you'd expect these artists to cover, and that is certainly part of the fun of the album. A glance at the cover should be a clear enough indication that this is not an overly serious endeavor. That doesn't mean, however, that they've chosen funny or silly or light songs. Quite the contrary actually, but the songs are approached with a wonderful openness, a willingness, or eagerness, to see where each number would take them, and what they might do with the songs. And the results are wonderful.

The album opens with "Kissing Other People," a pop song by Lennon Stella. I wasn't familiar with Lennon Stella, and so this was the first version of the song I heard. I've now listened to the original, and I greatly prefer this cover. It's a pretty and thoughtful rendition, more emotionally engaging than the original recording. "That's how I know that your love is gone/That's how I know I'm really moving on/'Cause I don't feel guilty kissing other people." The track features some really nice stuff on violin. They follow that with a song by Wilco, a band that is not as surprising a choice for this album. The song, "Ashes Of American Flags," was on that group's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album, released in 2002. This track contains some wonderful vocal work and interesting touches. "I want a good life with a nose for things/A fresh wind and bright sky to enjoy my suffering." This one also contains excellent work on strings.

"Hold On Magnolia" is a song written by Jason Molina. It was the final track on the final Songs: Ohia album, The Magnolia Electric Co., released in 2003 (or that could be the first album from Jason Molina's Magnolia Electric Co. group, depending on who is talking). It's an excellent song, and these guys deliver a really good rendition, with Riley on lead vocals. "No one has to be that strong/You're stubborn like me/I know what you're trying to be." There are some beautiful harmonies here, creating a soothing effect. The first time I listened to this disc, it was a grey, rainy day and I was alone. I closed my eyes while listening, and this song felt perfect. "Hold on, Magnolia/It's almost time." This version is shorter than Jason Molina's recording, and doesn't have that long fadeout. It is followed by "Where'd All The Time Go," a song by the group Dr. Dog, included on that band's Shame, Shame album. This song was released as the first single from Kissing Other Ppl. The vocal work on this track is especially captivating. "And you know I get so forgetful when I look in your eyes." And that final line, "Somebody sinks and is gone in the blink of an eye," is one that stands out. This rendition doesn't include that final section from the original version.

The trio delivers a wonderful rendition of Joan Armatrading's "Woncha Come On Home," the lead track from her 1977 record Show Some Emotion. And these guys do indeed show some emotion. I love the harmonies. It's their vocals that really make this recording exceptional. "Oh baby, don't stay too late/You know I hate to be alone/And I'm alone/Baby, woncha come on home." They then get more into the country realm with a cover of Dottie West's "A Lesson In Leavin'," a song from her Special Delivery album. This is a song that hopes karma will do its thing. I personally don't believe in that, but the idea certainly holds its appeal, particularly if we actually get to witness the event. "And I hope that I'm around/To watch 'em knock you down."

"Born To Lose" is an excellent song from Waylon Payne. It was included on his 2020 album, Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me. Kissing Other Ppl delivers a beautiful rendition. Again, the vocal work is at the center, and here the voices seem to tell us things are okay (even if they aren't, and these days they most certainly aren't). "I went away, you swore you'd wait for me/It hurt me as bad as it must have hurt you." They wrap up this great album of covers with "Ain't No Easy Rider," a song from Dan Parsons' 2018 album Sunday Morning Cinema. "Never cared much for heaven or hell/But where I end up going, I hope I go there well." This is a beautiful and striking rendition. "I've got love and I, I've got hope/But I ain't no easy rider if you give me too much rope."

CD Track List

1. Kissing Other People
2. Ashes Of American Flags
3. Hold On Magnolia
4. Where'd All The Time Go
5. Woncha Come On Home
6. A Lesson In Leavin'
7. Born To Lose
8. Ain't No Easy Rider

Kissing Other Ppl was released on August 8, 2025 on Peacedale Records.