Orchestral. Sweeping. Melancholic. Epic.What's it all about?
Spanning seven songs, this release at times feels more like an EP than a full-length recording. But Kyte cram as many expansive, ice age shoegazing adventures into those efforts as they can muster.
Via a plethora of emotional journeys, Kyte sees a potent concoction of heavenly moments in space, taking in big chords, wintry loops and frosty atmospherics. Mainly this is a welcome blueprint, but some sections see measured audio theatrics being undone by slightly (and I emphasise slightly) out of place vocals. This is just a small point and shouldn't detract from the scope of this album.
Some of the themes covered here include coming in from the cold, desperation and retreat - soulful subjects that perfectly fit the ambient mood.
Who's it by?
Kyte hail from Leicester and according to their MySpace profile consist of Ben, Jamie, Nick, Scott and Tom. This is the band's first release proper on the Kids label; they join a roster that includes indie darlings the Wombats, ex-Orbital synth-fiend Paul Hartnoll and Manc electro-dons the Whip.
Next month the outfit are set to depart on a tour of the UK and then continue it in April with further label mates' iLiKETRAiNS. The same trip is likely to see the band then head further afield to Japan.
As an example...
"Choking on a silent device." - Planet
"Withdrawn from life… wasted smiles." - Secular Ventures
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
At this point of a fledgling career, it's highly unlikely that Kyte will shift a vast amount of units, but with such spectacular, almost religious music, that's probably not the main aim. In the future, well, if they play it right, anything could happen.
What the others say
" Kyte - Leicestershirean, comprehending, remain strung to the earth (but only just) with that MIDI soul of theirs." - Meryl Trussler, This is Fake DIY
"The shoegazing and the post rock elements keep things grandiose and epic but the band manage to really give these songs life." - John Siwicki, Comfort Comes
So is it any good?
A well-tuned and well-delivered album, Kyte encompasses a wide variety of sounds that hint towards a band who are in control of their craft. From the opening moments of first slice of ethereal immensity Planet, it is easy to comprehend the nature of the impending ride.
That track's plaintive and hymn-like riffs tilt obviously towards the glaciated delicacy of Sigur Ros, while Boundaries fills up the speakers through gathering pianos and xylophonic majesty. What makes Kyte a pleasure is the on-off, intermittent bombast of the music - at one point you feel as if you're in the middle of a forest, but surrounded by amps, the next, watching a tranquil stream.
As the record progresses, the notion of this band as a force comes to life - Secular Ventures harks towards the Postal Service because of its wistful tones and violins, Sunlight melds shimmering rhythms to glistening sun showers. Kyte is not a record without fault - improved production takes time as does the clarity of vocal work - yet this is band with epic potential.
1. Planet (7:13)
2. Boundaries (3:56)
3. Secular Ventures (4:10)
4. Sunlight (6:02)
5. Home (2:40)
6. They Won’t Sleep (6:48)
7. These Tales of Our Stay (8:48)
get it
