Album Review: I Am Kloot - Sky at Night (4/5)

Mancunian band I Am Kloot have been around for awhile, but haven't received much notice until this, their fifth album, received critical acclaim and then a Mercury Prize nomination. The album is produced by Guy Garvey and Craig Potter of the Mercury Prize-winning band Elbow. So apparently they know what they're doing.

In Sky at Night, they've helped shape a genteel set of acoustic, almost folksy rock. The lead singer reminds me of a lightweight David Gray. Best: "Northern Skies" exudes warmth and earnestness, particularly during the bridge, when the string arangement kicks in to dominate the acoustic guitar and soft percussion. The lovely guitar melody of "I Still Do" is similarly mellow and quite lovely. "The Moon Is a Blind Eye" is in a similar if too precious vein. "Fingerprints" lights a welcome rock fire under this album, even adding a sinister quality. Its stripped down closing of just strings and vocals is a nice touch, despite highlighting the shortcomings of the lead singer's voice.

The "Brink" in "To the Brink" refers to a pub, the setting for a nostalgic piece steeped in violin-back melancholy. The piano and bit of electric guitar in "Lately" reminds me a bit of Wilco, with its swaggering, gently plucked guitar groove punctuated by vocal and brass outbursts. It's like a late night in a dive bar. These songs are what Arctic Monkeys will be doing in 20 years if they can't stop singing about nightlife in northern towns.

"Proof" is a key standout, pushing up the tempo and percussion during the chorus and second verse, with the melody getting yet another boost from piano during the bridge. In a fairly downbeat album, it's the most "up" moment here. Like a late-night slow dance, old-fashioned "It's Just the Night" sways back and forth with its languid guitar and piano melody. The song is nicely sensual, creating an appropriately intimate setting.

"Radiation" is long--over 6 minutes--and buried as it is near the end of the album, constitutes a nice surprise as the album's most epic cut. First part is just keyboards and a vocal about being bombarded by the radiant energy of distant stars we can't say. Second part kicks off with a quirky transition than blasts in some horns to dramatically lift the song's volume, then drums--for the third part--pick up the tempo on what turns out to be a mostly instrumental number. Near the end, even more instruments enrichen the musical mix. "Same Shoes" can't help but feel a let down after that, but it's laid back manner, complete with horn solos, is a nice way to close the set. I know this band is from Manchester, but this song says "winter in New York" to me.

On its surface, this isn't the type of album that would usually appeal to me. Not enough "umph." But on close listen, it showcases some good songwriting and lovely, gentle melodies. I ended up recommending quite a few tracks here, as they are interesting and varied, yielding up rewards upon closer inspection. Just don't look from them in the top 40 anytime soon.

Best: Proof, It's Just the Night, Radiation, Northern Skies, Proof, Lately, I Still Do