Review by Jason Barnard
Kontiki Suite’s new album “On Sunset Lake” mines a gorgeous concoction of Sweetheart of the Rodeo Byrds, Big Star and gentle melancholic psychedelia.
Based in the Lake District this talented group comprise song-writing brothers Ben (lead vocals and guitar) and Jonny Singh (guitars, lap steel and backing vocals), cousins Marcus Dodds (guitar) and Mario Renucci (bass) plus Craig Bright (keyboards and percussion) and Chris Brown (drums).
All the tracks are extremely pretty and have an excellent warm analogue sound of a group playing in unison, typically featuring plaintive vocals, acoustic and steel guitars with mellotron washing over the material.
Examples include album opener “Down By The Lake” that shows there’s forever a corner of Cumbria that is Laurel Canyon circa 1969. “Hollywood” reinforces the LA affect whilst jangling love song “Part of You” will warm the ears of any Beachwood Sparks listener. Their perfect alt-countryesque song writing is showcased by “Open Up & Smile” and “Watching Over Me”.
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One of the LP’s highlights is their excellent debut single, “Magic Carpet Ride”, featured here as penultimate track, with its dreamy magnetic sound blending the West Coast feel with an eerie guitar psych sound. Like all memorable albums it finishes on a high with “The Painter” and it certainly leaves me wanting more.
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Do check Kontiki Suite out:
http://www.kontikisuite.co.uk/
“On SunsetLake” is officially released on 28 January 2013:
