As I Am Kloot aim for the Elbow
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As I Am Kloot return to the fray with their fifth album, Sky at Night, maybe it's time for some of Elbow's magic dust to fall on one of the lesser lights of their home town.
Back in 2008, Guy Garvey's mob hit the big time when fourth album The Seldom Seen Kid earned them the Mercury Prize. Soon after, music pundits wondered if Elbow's commercial success and critical acclaim would mean greater recognition for that peculiarly north-western strain of dour, lugubrious songwriting. So when fellow Mancs Doves returned in 2009 with their fourth album, Kingdom of Rust, there was much interest in whether they could "do an Elbow" – whatever that really meant.
Comparative veterans themselves, Doves had at one time worked as a backing band for another Mercury winner, Badly Drawn Boy, but had since comfortably outcharted Elbow with two number one albums. I Am Kloot, though, have long remained the bridesmaid of this particular grouping. The trio first emerged in 2001 with debut album Natural History, on an offshoot of dance label Wall of Sound, then joined Echo for two albums and an increasingly fractious relationship.
Their last album, I Am Kloot Play Moolah Rouge, came out on Skinny Dog, a label co-founded by Garvey; and for its follow up the band have come full circle: Garvey produced their first album and has returned to the mixing desk with Elbow keyboardist Craig Potter. The result is a delightful balance of frontman John Bramwell's dry delivery and rich, subtly used orchestration, and Kloot's strongest work in almost a decade. This time they really may "do an Elbow". All power to them.
'Sky At Night' is out on 5 July on Skinny Dog Records
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments