Keith Harbottle (vocals, bass, keyboards, guitar).
Guest musicians: Joe Crabtree (drums); Kalin Ivanov (keyboards).
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Influences
Abba, After the Fire, Beatles, Black/Colin Vearncombe, Beloved, Cars, Cock Robin, Elvis Costello, Depeche Mode, Dubstar, Erasure, David Gray, Howard Jones, Joe Jackson, Jem, Lisa Loeb, Moby, New Musik, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Pink Floyd, Police/Sting, Scritti Politti, Steely Dan, Talk Talk, 10CC
Sounds Like
Athlete, Badly Drawn Boy, Syd Barrett, Beloved, Black/Colin Vearncombe, Blur, Billy Bragg, Buggles, Captain Sensible, Depeche Mode, Ian Dury, Electronic, Field Mice, Frazier Chorus, Herman's Hermits, Ivy, Jilted John, Jon & Vangelis, Kinks, Lightning Seeds, Madness, Paul McCartney, Morrissey, New Order, OMD, Pet Shop Boys, Prefab Sprout, Pulp, Gerry Rafferty, Peter Skellern, The Upper Room, Thompson Twins, White Town
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Do not be fooled by the misleading moniker. The second release on Whimsical/Platform Records from the London one-man band, Keith Harbottle, is none other than a collection of carefully crafted and considered songs perfect for happy, lazy days and more contemplative moments.
The first single from the album, So Inclined, leads the way establishing a robust sound with a strong, defiant rhythm section and seductive guitars musing on the pressures of expectations and choosing your own path. This then relaxes effortlessly into the understated mournfulness of quirky love song, The Road Less Travelled, with its gentle 80s flavour and acoustic guitar. Piano pop track Wait would proudly fit on a Belle And Sebastian album – the breezy melody belying the insightful, often cutting lyrics while After All sounds like an updated Kinks track. The self-reflexive tone of If Success Came My Way raises smiles as Keith mockingly considers what fame would do to him over sparkling synths.
Favourable reviews following his first release compared Keith to a number of the music world's finest purveyors of off-kilter indie-pop – Ian Brodie, Ian Dury, Stuart Murdoch, Baby Bird – but still he has maintained a sound all of his own. Keith creates songs that trace stories and characters that all of us can relate to – awkward break-ups and moments, the friend that knows best, dealing with change – all in his own unique way with sunny harmonies, jangling melodies and despite using machines and synths to plug musical gaps, the album still has a wholesome, organic air surrounding it.
The lo-fi, almost DIY ethic of the album, akin to that of Swedish indie-pop, affords the advantage of appreciating everything, not least Keith’s plaintive, honest vocals and lyrics. The result is sharp, accessible pop songs that will make you smile, sigh, tap your feet and smile again.
(Claire Gilligan)
just passing by to say iv got a new tune up called jazz vol2 /jazzy drums /double bass/dreamy rhodes/funky fx horns /dreamy synths just what u need for a sunday /monday have a go or u will never know
Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
So, Wednesday is the new Sunday. Which makes Saturday the new Tuesday? And, according to my calculations…That makes Monday the new Friday!!!! Which is just as well, as we’re playing at Cargo on Monday 18thMay!! Come down!!! www.ticketweb.com
hi Big Life Desire thanks for the comments from the past just thought u would like to know iv put up a new tune + there is alot more comming over the next few months
Super smokey, psychedelic visuals with beautiful shoegaze/dreampop music, live and direct at the Fiddlers Elbow in Camden. Lots more besides!! A great evenings lineup for the perfect post Easter weekend warmup! Bring along a flyer: (http://autorotation.org/cmsms/uploads/flyers/flyer_cf.jpg) for speedy entry!
the rest of the evenings lineup is as follows: (caution promoter speech!! ;) )
Online Now!
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