Louis Eliot and the Embers - Kittow's Moor

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 10 / 10 / 2010

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Louis Eliot has had a rather mixed career in music over his near 20 year involvement. Back in the early 90's his first band, Kinky Machine, were below average Brit-poppers. However, Rialto, his second band, were a much more engaging proposition employing the services of two drummers to create a number of worthy pop moments (in the shape of 'Monday Morning 5.19', 'Untouchable', 'Shatterproof' and 'Anything Can Happen') that possessed an almost cinematic feel. Following the break up of Rialto at the beginning of the Noughties, Eliot tried his hand at a solo album in 2004 with the release of 'Long Way Round', which could be best described as disappointing. Fast-forward 6 years and Eliot has resurfaced with a new backing band, the Embers, to deliver new album 'Kittow's Moor', which after a limited appearance earlier in the year is now given a full release via Fullfill. Despite being conceived in Eliot's home county of Cornwall, 'Kittow's Moor' has a much more Irish feel, with the liberal use of fiddle and accordian courtesy of Martin Bell and James Sneyd. Whilst the nod to the 'Emerald Isle' is a departure from earlier releases, it is certainly a return to form of sorts, that whilst not hitting the heights of Rialto's best moments, manfully helps to paper over the cracks of 'Long Way Round'. There are plenty of pleasant pop moments that will appeal to the older listeners, though are probably not edgy enough to capture the imagination of the younger music lover, in the shape of new single 'Runaway Night', '25th of the 12th' and 'Bottle Rocket'. Elsewhere 'I Saw Her at the Fair' is the kind of Irish jig that the Saw Doctors have made a career out of and 'Ember in the Ash' is a slow track that provides a welcome change to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the album. 'Carry Me Home' is a decent track to end proceedings and would probably sit well in the live arena imploring people to dance. The main criticism that holds this album back as a 3 out of 5 rather than a 4 out of five is the rather obvious lyrics throughout that stay just about on the right side of the border between twee and naff. A fair effort not the less.

Track Listing:-

1 Runaway Night
2 I Saw Her At The Fair
3 Head Held High
4 Someone Like You
5 Clown Shoes
6 Ember In The Ash
7 One Step At A Time
8 25th Of The 12th
9 Paper Plane
10 Bottle Rocket
11 Come On Let’s Go
12 Skimming Stones
13 Carry Me Home

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