The whole concepts of 'new bands' is often pretty ridiculous. Take, for example, the none-more creative Kenny Anderson, aka KING CREOSOTE. Listen to sections of the media and they will have you believe that he's a new and untried artist, never mind the fact he's actually one of the founders of Fife's Fence Collective, has previously released albums (twenty-odd and counting) at a pace that would even give Guided By Voices' Bob Pollard the shits and has been instrumental in bringing the likes of James Yorkston to our attention.
Still, it's inevitable that it will take the world a while to catch up with such a feverishly creative character, and - in terms of a larger audience - this new single (the first on Kenny's new label and with The Earlies in tow)) is as good as any place to start, because it's recorded on a larger budget, is considerably less lo-fi than much of his previous work (hell, the stuff I've struggled to catch up with at least) and something of a little gem.
So where do we start? Well, "Favourite Girl" is gentle, mellifluous and built around acoustic guitars, accordion and a suitably keening vocal from Kenny, but it's got some beautiful harmonies that gradually seep out and strategic violin as well. It's still folksy, but has enough pop appeal to cross over and is imbued with a tangible sense of wonder. Finally, it lures to the temptation of a full band with the drums kicking in and goading the accordion into action along the lines of Richard Thompson's early albums, while KC revels in the swoonsome chorus of "She's my favourite girl in all the world...can I make her happy?" With this lovely, untainted pop? Yes, indeed you can, old son.
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Just to really get you salivating, my review copy also sneaks in a couple of new tunes which I believe will be gracing KC's new album, the modesty-titled "KC Rules OK" (out on Sept.15th) and both of these - "Jump At The Cats" and "So Forlorn" - are crackers as well. "Jump A The Cats" is a hep, harmonica-addled rockabilly train song, tempered by Anderson's hangdog vocal. It's a little more playful than usual, though "So Forlorn" features more typical acoustic guitar and lonesome accordion and is poppy and downbeat, if still approachable linear by KC's far-out standards.
Anyway, let's not get ahead of ourselves. "Favourite Girl" is a great way for most of us to stop, get our breath and become acquainted with what should be the sound of 'new artist' King Creosote becoming acquainted a much larger audience. It's about time, too.
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