I Am Kloot
Gods And Monsters

Three years on from their eponymously titled second album, I Am Kloot's third 'Gods And Monsters' adopts a stripped down and simple approach, and will, perhaps inevitably, draw comparison to Badly Drawn Boy.

'Gods And Monsters' isn't a bad album, merely average which is a real shame. There are saving graces: the title track, with its Wurlitzer organ and nagging piano riff is un-nerving stuff. Recent single 'Over My Shoulder' feels as comfortably familiar as a well worn jumper. The lovelorn 'The Stars Look Familiar' is the aural equivalent of coming down from an almighty hangover.

Perhaps the most consistent thing about 'Gods And Monsters' is singer Johnny Bramwell's songwriting suss. On the title track he can be found bemoaning the virtual reality of television: 'There's children singing / and church bells ringing / and people skipping merrily to work / I am dreaming'. Closing track 'I Believe', rallies against consumer culture singing 'I believe in the hallelujah chorus of the shopping malls / I know we shouldn't / I know we musn't / but of course we will' perhaps before putting down a deposit on a high interest rate sofa.

So is it worth investing in 'Gods And Monsters'? Perhaps but don't expect to love it, like it yes but love it? Maybe, maybe not.