I am Kloot - Sky at Night Review

Sky at Night

I am Kloot

Release Date: 5th Jul, 2010
Label: Shepherd Moon
Genre: Indie

Following 2007's I Am Kloot Play Moolah Rouge, the album further goes to cement John Bramwell's status as one of the most talented songwriters in the country. Proud Manchester men they may be, but the record is infused with an almost Parisian elegance. Tracks like "It's Just The Night" and "The Moon Is A Blind Eye" reveal a Gainsbourg style of sophistication, but are still punctuated with their own inimitable Northern soul.


Opening with the warm, rolling "Northern Skies", it's followed by "To The Brink", a decadently faded show tune, with celestial strings balancing delicately against the kind of poignant musings more typically found at the bottom of a brandy glass. The theatrical instrumentation of "Lately" is lush and impressive, whilst remaining explicit and honest. Renowned harpist Marie Lionheardt provides a delicate accompaniment to the moving narrative in "I Still Do", while "Radiation" touches upon the Beatles' more psychedelic moments of orchestration.


A songwriter's songwriter, Bramwell is one of our finest wordsmiths and counts Pete Doherty and and Elbow's Guy Garvey amongst his many fans. Having produced their hugely acclaimed debut album "Natural History" Garvey, alongside bandmate Craig Potter, has returned to produce and mix this sublime ten track collection. With Sky at Night, expect Kloot's cult status to soar skywards.

Reviewed by Martin Aston

About The Artist

I am Kloot

I Am Kloot are a band formed in Manchester, England in 1999 by John Bramwell (guitar/vocals), Peter Jobson (bass) and Andy Hargreaves (drums), notable for their twisted, witty lyrics. Their Debut single To You on Ugly Man Records was produced by and featured backing vocals by Guy Garvey, lead singer of Еlbow. Debut album Natural History was released in the United Kingdom in March 2001 on Wall of Sound offshoot We Love You, followed by I Am Kloot in September 2003 on the Echo label. Disputes and issues with the label began to arise towards the end of the promotional campaign for their sophomore album, when Echo said that Proof would be a single. Artwork had been agreed and a tracklist too, they had even gone so far to commission a video by Krishna Stott featuring Christopher Eccleston (who would later star in the new Doctor Who television series) contributing a powerful scene. But Echo shelved these ideas and ended up issuing the single as a download only, although a few copies were issued in Europe on the PIAS imprint. Their third LP Gods And Monsters was released in April 2005, again on the Echo label but issues with the label again cancelling a single at short notice, this time I Believe, leading to the band leaving the label, citing a lack of financial support. Later that year they issued a limited edition single entitled Maybe I Should released November 21st, following their biggest ever headlining gigs in the UK, culminating in a show at the famous London Astoria venue. They released 'BBC RADIO 1 JOHN PEEL SESSIONS' on October 30th, 2006; a compilation which contains two Peel sessions and other rarities. Their fourth LP I Am Kloot Play Moolah Rouge was released commercially on April 14th 2008, and a limited edition version of 2000 copies was on sale to the public attending their show at Manchester Academy 3 on 24 November 2007, and the following dates on their mini-tour of England and Europe. In September 2009 they released a compilation album of B-sides, rare recordings, sessions, and previously unreleased material: entitled B. The band have finished working on their fifth LP with producers Craig Potter and Guy Garvey from Elbow. The title is The Sky at Night, and is available now. Random fact: "Kloot" literally means "testicle" in a derogative form in both Dutch and Flemish. When the band was first told this by Dutch DJ Jan Douwe Kroeske during the recording of a live performance, they were dismayed.

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6 Comments

  1. Sturmverweht 18 Oct 2011

    a great album with a wonderful cover!

  2. moneeb 07 Aug 2010

    thoughts on the mercury prize nominations: http://www.distantreverb.com/feature.php?id=4

  3. Xemper 20 Jul 2010

    Nominated for the [group]Mercury Prize[/group]!

  4. TaTeVer 18 Jul 2010

    fingerprints is the best.not bad in all..

  5. YouCantHide 14 Jul 2010

    im currently loving Fingerprints. has a nice feel to it

  6. Magic_Alex 06 Jul 2010

    hearing Sky At Night is like seeing your favourite football team win the FA Cup 6-0.

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