KC needs no Sunshine Band.
There are not many acts who would use the term "crazy buggers" on the opening track of their latest record but King Creosote is no ordinary artist. With an album count of at least in the mid-twenties and a member of the fiercely talented if not fully appreciated Fence Collective, Kenny Anderson (to give the man his proper title) has played by his own rules and after dodging the mainstream for so long, it may just be the case that the mainstream may be coming around to him.
'Home In A Sentence' is what Newton Faulkner imagines what he sounds like, ie talented, with a voice that can flit between the ranges over a musical backing that glides effortlessly but still manages to chase tempos up and down the scale before dropping to a quiet end. The best part of the quiet end is that it allows a brief pause for breath before the first major hit of the album follows.
The chorus of 'You've No Clue Do You' is immense and the way the song climaxes by making reference to characters from the board-game Cluedo highlights the sense of humour that tugs away at KC's work. The rhythm of the track lends itself to stomping along all the while the slightly dark undertone moves menacingly and intones to the listener the sense of danger and death.
And as if to quickly come away from the tension caused by 'You've No Clue Do You', 'Cowardly Custard' eases into life with a spring in its step and a touch of joviality in the air. "You seem a trifle unhappy that I'm a cowardly custard" is a line that has the potential to crack people up and when its delivered so deadpan here, it only adds to its humour. As well as the usual guitars and drums, the backing music contains additions from a melodica and a wheeze-bellow (whatever that is!) Considering that KC has also managed to slip in a sample of one of his former songs on this track as well, its like a mish mash casserole that somehow turns out tasting brilliant. And this seems to be the essence of King Creosote, anyone who has created so much music in the past few years is likely to have different feelings and genres running through his catalogue, some will work, some wont.
The earlier mentions of KC dodging the spotlight may seem to be too critical but lets make it clear that the man is not one to shy away from the work and the industry, more that he has done it on his own terms. One of the highlights at last years TDK Cross Central, a festival mainly centred around an electronic vibe was Kenny and his band played a storming set and grabbed some attention. The new material is even better than what he displayed back then and hopes have to be high that KC will become even bigger. The mans self-deprecating turn of wit is still on show, notably on 'Nooks' but there is a confidence throughout the record that belies this attitude.
Kenny may not be wanting to move to the city but on this form, its hard to imagine the city ignoring him for much longer.