It would be fair to say Louis Eliot's career has never really hit the heights. From Kinky Machine through to Rialto, Eliot has remained defiantly out of step with the times, never quite striking the right chord. Until now. Which makes Kittow's Moor' all the more a pleasant surprise.
Turning his back on London for Cornwall, there's something in the air which seemingly agrees with him. Embracing country and folk in good measure, his song-writing has stepped up a gear, but without losing his knack for a killer melody. Augmented by accordions, fiddles and whistle, there's more than enough evidence to suggest Eliot's pop heart still beats strong. The rich acoustic sound and sheer joy recalls the vibe of The Beatles 'A Hard Day's Night' album, but there's plenty of variety to dig into. Lyrically, line one of opening track, 'Runaway Night' (To the broken tune of an ice cream van...) suggests a man with a vision not far removed from Ray Davies, and so it proves as the album unfolds. Eliot's no one trick pony, though. 'I Saw Her at the Fair' really should make Roddy Woomble jealous, whilst the stomp of 'Clown Shoes' and 'One Step at a Time' nod to his more raucous past. And to prove he can, '25th of the 12th' might just be the next classic Christmas song you hear.
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If a change is as good as a rest, Louis Eliot is living proof of it. It's the sounds of an artist whose time might be finally coming. Honest, punchy and accessible, 'Kittow's Moor' is as surprising as it is effortlessly listenable and will undoubtedly find a home with many British music loving connoisseurs.
www.louiseliot.com
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