aaamusic | On 28, May 2011

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are a unique project. Three young siblings, barely out of school, who play old school rock’n’roll using old school techniques and with old school authenticity.

Their new album ‘Smoking In Heaven’ comes three years after their self-titled debut, and marks a significant improvement in their songwriting and versatility. Whereas the debut was predominantly covers, this album is a collection of original compositions. But the biggest improvement is just how much slicker Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ sound. The US tour supporting the mighty Coldplay, plus opening for acts like Razorlight and Jools Holland, has evidently increased their confidence and general musicianship.

The rockabilly and r’n’b of their debut is still ever present on ‘Smoking In Heaven’ – as on tracks like ‘I’m Going Back’ and ‘You’ll Be Sorry’ – but this time around they’ve branched out to incorporate ska, as on the splendid ‘I’m So Sorry,’ and blues, as on the groovy, Lewis-sung ‘Don’t Make A Fool Out Of Me.’

The fact that these multi-instrumentalists love 50s rock music so much that they shun digital recording systems to use genuine 40s and 50s analogue equipment, despite being no older than 20, just makes Kitty, Daisy & Lewis so much easier to love. It may all sound a little kitsch, and the wide range of ancient genres used does make the album sounds a little disjointed, but if they can count Dustin Hoffman as a fan, and Rob Da Bank as their champion (his label Sunday Best releases their albums), then they can certainly count me as a fan.

Author: Clive Rozario