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Simple Kid's self-styled debut is an eclectic, rambling, self-assured and generally compelling prospect, who's originality should be celebrated every bit as much as its musical treasures (which are plentiful). Sounding (vocally at least) like a hybrid of Damon Albarn at his best and a ramshackled Damon Gough at his worse, the Kid's slightly skewed world is built of loops, drum machines and acoustic guitars wrapped round unpretentious Jamie Oliver stripped-bare pop sensibilities. He possesses a fine sense of melody and, like all musical geniuses, makes you work to find them.
Self-produced and self-recorded on his own 8 track, it's a project that feels remarkably free of artist indulgence and the flabby excesses of ego with a recording contract. The Blur vibe is most prevalent on opener "Hello" (with the druggy, juvenile "Truck On" even sounding like a Gorillaz cut in places) but don't be fooled, as the songs twist and turn through a variety of different poses and influences. So, part Beck, part Jason Downes (without feather) and part cheap, tatty, yet expertly deployed second-hand technology, it's a lo-fi production with high ambitions which succeeds in nearly everything it attempts.
Track listing:
1. Hello
2. Truck On
3. Staring At The Sun
4. The Average Man
5. The Commuter
6. Drugs
7. Love’s An Enigma
8. Supertramps & Superstars
9. Kids Don’t Care
10. Breakups/Breakdowns
11. No News
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