kil/ken i gloria excelsis
one of the best records i have ever worked on
you are everything
i loved our first minimalist outing
i thought our second one not quite so good as the first
but this….this….this is a magnificent collection
some people on here dont like me singing the praises of my other collaborators
feeling like “the church is my main axe why dont i just stick to that”
well as i said before
due to many many issues technical personal financial etc
there is no new church album
there still may be one day but really i wouldnt wait for it if i was you
i am telling you this new K/K album is as good as U23 as good as P=A
and even better in some ways…
first of all the sound
simon fucking polinski has given this record a sheen a gloss a depth
its like his whole life has lead up to mixing this
talk about lush talk about luxurious talk about organic
there is a cast of thousands
strings percussion backing vocals woodwinds pianos
i’ll grant you one thing there is no electric guitar interplay a la church
i know some of you love that more than anything else
martin kennedy is no jimi hendrix …ok
what he is is an amazing musical composer
hes taken a great leap forward between this and ”white magic”
an architect of song now
this mild mannered genius disguised as martin kennedy
has wrought 11 sonic masterpieces ; an honour to sing on them
this is like the blue nile or like talk talk or steely dan or something
not in sound but in the intelligence and love and maturity
it deserves to be number one around the whole world
its universal its personal its spiritual its for everyman
hard to believe that we even made this disc
that he came up with this music
that i came up with these words
it will be almost impossible to top this
where after all can you go after something like this
i want to excite you
i want to enthuse you
i want to make you quiver in anticipation
as i deliver possibly my best singing and lyrics
you want word play ?
you want songs where every line is a little fucking gem?
you want resonant deep soft notes and distant high choirs?
you want drugs and sex and love and death and god and all that jazz?
its no longer a pop record
it is beyond that narrow focus
we have stumbled on a universe of beauty here martin n i
not just one of the best records i ever made
one of the best records ever made period.
yes its that good
here is a track by track preview
the record starts with i wouldnt know
a dialogue with the devil
a chat to the cynical doubting darkness
super melodic as is the whole album
backing vocals la ooooh ooooh
pianos bent out of shape
the singing becomes higher and more plaintive as it goes on
wonderful stuff
next up is everyone
kinda like the title track
(but why do i think that)
it starts with that familiar old aussie/english voice
gruff doing a kinda kilbey rap
bitching about everything
the way only a white hippy elijah can
blaming god and even wondering if he exists
a girls voice comes in
“dear father send me money ”
more existential rapping and bitching
then a lovely oboe solo weaves in and out of nylon guitar
and then
and then martin pulls off his trick
where half way through a song changes gear and morphs before our eyes
this happens 3 times on this record
and every time its a corker
but here the shift is incredible
blinded by the holy light
everything swept up in the majestic strings
the prophet suddenly sees his god everywhere
(you are everything)
“hold on youre everyone” he exclaims
and did you ever really hear my voice sounding better than this
i havent
this is real singing
expressing the wonder and hurt of this world
everything swells up around my voice
repeating that simple phrase
the girl joins in
(leona gray)
she sings unison harmony and octave
and the mellotron strings pile in upping the ante
abloodymasterpiece!
lorelei is a like martin getting in touch
with his inner shoegazer
a huge dreamy soaring chorus
punctuated with twisted darker verses
you’ll hear my voice fucked with and fucked up
i like that
amongst the organic crooning
is some real electro babble
so may it be and so may it rock!
knowing you are in this world
a simple slow song
like spending the afternoon in a quiet monastery garden
or remembering someone who’s gone
or laying your world at someones feet
hushed reverential
you can almost smell the holy roman incense
i find
weird song
a song about a tourist in trouble
hows this for a clever chorus?
“in brazil the eyes of love are on you
imbecile the highs are right above you”
ive done a remix of this one for the double cd
East side West side
a song of philosophy and hedonism
the second song that changes in the middle
martins music taunt threatening
so often reminding me of low/heroes
indeed david bowie is the godfather of much here
eno n berlin and all that
martin n i both revering krautrock its only natural
but this one is the most germanic of all
and then it changes
and the teutonic stuff all comes back in spades
man i wish i was in Cologne
“its so funny
the clowns that surround you
do you proud”
a better day
bewildered lost dislocated song
strings drifting along
a simple poignant song
always melodic always organic
all the world
starts simply strummed
but evolves into a revolving door of sound
strings and whispered voices come in
echoing things and electro spirit voice
then for the third time a song changes into another
and intersects with itself again
the strings bend in a seasick swoop
cymbals clash and drum machine starts up
effortless crossing merging styles
this is every good “adult contemporary” record you (n)ever heard
brother moon sister sun
a commissioned song martin fell in love with and couldnt let go of it
so he decommissioned it n brought it back in the fold
and its a rousing corker too
with anthemic chorus etc
it deserves to be here after all
cant get free
k/k go prince someone has already said
and who am i to disagree
sexy taut and terrific
one of my real faves!
finale
a twisted creepy little ender
scenes of a distant childhood
or some mad person in a garret?
ooh how strange……
so there you go
you are everything
to me and martin kennedy
—————————-
CD purchases are available here http://thetimebeing.com/shop/music/you-are-everything-cd/
Digital downloads here http://stevekilbey.bandcamp.com
Thanks guys, I can’t wait! Martin gave me a few options re the song. I don’t know how you’d describe the deal but he repayed me for it. I guess I sold the rights. I then commissioned a portrait from you and put a few hundred dollars back into this album. So do look forward to it greatly and wondering if I’m going to be completely astonished to hear the song I gave birth to (well, in a literal sense and then threw some flowers your way to be pollinated i guess) or something. Anyway, I loved the first rendering despite some confusion about the origins of the lyrics, so I think I’ll either be totally blown away or just sigh a contented ‘yes! that’s it’!? And the rest of it remains to be plundered – at my leisure. A bit time poor today and feeling my age… but awaiting glories…!
Have to admit. Don’t have this one. Going to have fix that now….
Well, not released till May.
Pretty obvious why I don’t yet possess it!!!
Soooo looking forward to experiencing this album….!!
“You Are Everything”
Would have been a good name for your musical partnership.
If I remember well, it is your only collaboration without a real name (except the first gilt-trip album).
Think of it for the 4th LP
Concerning this one, “j’en ai l’eau à la bouche” (mouth-watering) !.
Listening to the commissioned song Martin and you kindly made for me (the best song ever made, of course !), I have found a name for your partnership :
The Magicians !
Now I am even more impatient to discover “You Are Everything” and I am one of the happy few to guess how essential it will be…
eternity!
“it’s like the rainbow that stretches without end
it’s like echoes out in time that you send”
This song is pure SK poetry driven by beauti-power-ful MK music to…eternity.
I cannot be the only one to possess it (unfortunately, l’éternité is not my destiny) so consider it decommissionned and eternally yours again. The rest of the world must know it, and I am sure Steven Krut will be inspired to turn it into a nice video !
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!topic/seance-list/F5EHJf7Uafc
I also felt the second one was missing something. The first one was more organic, whereas the second one felt more deliberately crafted. This third one sounds like the first album taken to a higher level. Your description of it sure is intriguing. I can easily believe that it is as good as you say. Really, from the moment I first read several months ago that you and Martin were taking it in a more spiritual direction, I had a good vibe about it. I can’t wait to hear it!
Good god I hope I like it. I’ll feel like such a failure if I don’t….
But considering I always notice how gorgeous your voice is on the previous Kilbey Kennedy songs I think there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be pleased.
if you dont like it i’ll eat my pastels
Sounds absolutely wonderful. I’m very excited! I just hope I’ll be able to buy it on Amazon. I want the physical version, hate downloads!
Why buy on Amazon when you can get it straight from Martin or Steve with flavor?
ok ok ok!!!!
I got my name on a pre-order….now’s the hard part
the WAITING!!!!!
“In Brazil the eyes of love are on you, imbecile the highs are right above you”….It is this phrase that encompasses my love for your talent above all else. Sometimes, and i deeply apologize, but your work without The Church is just a little disappointing to me, such as the work of George Harrison after he met the Mahareshi must’ve been to Beatles fans. I’m sure in his mind it was deeper and more heartfelt and more “plugged into the universe” (and of course it WAS!) than that of his shallow pop Beatles days was but the Beatles fans just wanted more jangly, delightful pop melodies and didn’t seriously appreciate the scope of his solo work until after his death. But though the music might not be as immediately catchy on your solo releases as with The Church, your lyrics are, as always, without peer and probe the deeper truths of life, the universe and everything in a way that a Taylor Swift, or One Direction or even a band that you might have some appreciation for (not sure who that would be these days) just cannot even approach…we stand in awe, you lyrical Dickens or Orwell (but with a Fender)…sorry, i’ve just finished reading Caitlin Moran’s Moranthology which is pretty much the funniest thing i’ve ever read, disregarding some of these blogs and am borrowing heavily…anyway, i’m just pretty happy that the “cynical doubting darkness” is a phrase i’m familiar with due to my dear Captain Kilbey leading me through the linguistic lowlands……Oh Captain Kilbey/Kennedy, my Captain…
thanks for this i appreciate it !
btw, one of my favourite pieces of writing EVER in recent history was Caitlin Moran writing about a meeting with Keith Richards and describing how the song “Gimme Shelter” “made landfall”….and Keith subsequently describing how you had to be up late at night coz these songs were just zinging about the ether waiting to be grabbed. Is that how you feel about your masterpieces Sir Steven? Coz i feel strangely robbed. The air around me feels disappointingly normal and “masterpiece” free…
I really like the first two KK albums but Isidore is truly on a par with The Church.
Well Ian McCulloch said “Ocean Rain” was “the greatest album ever made” and he was off by (way) more than a mile, but if you say this one is one of the greatest I think I feel more comfortable with that assessment. Can’t wait to hear it!
i think it is that good . yes. i hope.
Exactly! The first thing that came to my mind upon reading this was Ian McCulloch. I believe Steve has mentioned some disdain for the bloke but I love Ian’s work. AMAZING artist in my life.
‘one of the best records i have ever worked on’
‘this is a magnificent collection’
‘simon fucking polinski has given this record a sheen a gloss a depth
its like his whole life has lead up to mixing this’
’11 sonic masterpieces’
‘it deserves to be number one around the whole world’
‘we have stumbled on a universe of beauty here martin n i’
‘not just one of the best records i ever made
one of the best records ever made period. yes its that good’
hmmmmm….. it had best be something very special indeed after making claims as extravagant as these killer.
if not,these statements(in the hands of some grotty press wag)will surely come back to haunt you.
you did not enthuse like this over ‘the idylist’ which is quite easliy your best non-church related work to date.
curious indeed…………
and…cheeky bugger that i am…may i just mention that ‘the failed’ have now become ‘nepenthine’ and will be known as such until the day we finaly expire.
we now actually appear on internet search engines so perhaps may at last get a listen or two(we’re even going to be on a few radio shows!)
and furthermore may i now publicly state that in my humble opinion we are the best band in this or any other universe(other than the church of course)
and our forthcoming album is an astonishing masterpiece that will change lives forever!
no ego on show on this blog today then eh?
lets call our selves the modesty brothers. good luck with nepenthine. good name!
btw the album IS that good!
ALL your stuff is good…you know i’m only pulling your leg.
so many projects whizzing around your head at the moment!
don’t get dizzy….
Andy, How do i get a copy of your record to take a listen? Where to buy or listen? Cheers and thanks! Kraig
have a listen here Kraig:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTbNcWTWKEGOHPdvJtgVXZKqgpP2IKLd_&feature=edit_ok
we hope to follow steve’s lead and put the ‘Nepenthine’ album out on bandcamp and on CD too.
it’s very nearly finished, so should be out soon.
steve has been very kind, dubbing us ‘essential listening’ for which
i can never thank him enough.
love ya killer!
Cool Andy! Thanks! Listened and Like! Very RAW and Dee-Lish! Want More and let me know when you have that CD ready bro!? BTW, who’s singing on ‘Into The Light’? Really like that cut man. I also like the rawness of ‘Found’ & ‘The Fear Inside’…are those demos or will that be like the album?…NICE! Great videos too, looks cool! You guys have a website or something? Tried googling it but came up with other stuff? I’m stupid, but which instrument you play? Keep it up Andy my Man! Sorry Steve don’t mean to use your Blog as a post for this but i feel it relates to all the wonderful things happening at The Time Being! Cheers, Prost, Priest=Puff Puff
first things first…..
check-out this great interview with steve.
http://www.smellslikeinfinitesadness.com/an-interview-with-steve-kilbey-part-1/
kraig: contact me on https://www.facebook.com/andy.lee.1276487
and i’ll tell you everything you need to know!
Looking forward to this album.
The words in Knowing You Are In This World really moved me.
Esp. keen to hear East Side West Side as you maybe know i’m living very near
to Cologne.
Little question:
Are there still plans to release the KK commissioned songs at some point,
’cause what i heard so far sounds pretty good too?
the kk commissioned album will be released!
I love being able to sign into here, read a one liner and have it make my day. Thanks Steve.
By the way, you’ve mentioned about a double CD release. How do we pre-order that?
Cheers
Stephen
um ….i’m not sure…?
I believe it’s on the pledge page (click here).
I’m not sure if that will change or not.
Martin and Steve,
From what i’ve heard so far from all of the pledge posts, samples, youtube vids, and updates…you are exactly spot on precisely correct my dear fellow cosmonauts! I can’t wait to fly away to the vast Kilbey Kennedy Universe with this star record! Glad i pledged handsomly and looking forward to the dee-lish cosmic buffet that awaits…Cheers and Prost!
Your Friend from Over Yonder the Pacific,
Kraig
…I just love Martin’s compositions and music, it calms the soul and energizes the spirit, makes you feel and think, and with the Kilbey voice attached you complete the composition(s) like a sunrise and sunset complete a perfect day
Classic SK sing-speak (your phrase, not mine!) beats anybody’s ‘real singing’ though – hope there’s plenty of the former too.
Well obviously I’m buying this, but getting error code 503 when I try.
will look into it!
Will a 2-disk version be released at some point?
yes. for pledgers i believe
Ok. Thanks.
When I read S. Polinski was involved I knew it would be something extra special.
I just purchased my copy. Really looking forward to this one. I loved KK1, though find it a bit uneven in places. Its a very good album. I like KK2, but there is something missing there. I listen to it much less often then KK1. But I am quite certain I will fall in love with KK3. I will now cease from hearing any further tracks until my cd arrives, and I can take the whole album in. Greatly looking forward to it.
There is a 2-disc version for pledgers – that’s what I’ve gone for.
I can’t wait to hear this. It’s nice to hear you so excited about it.
I just wish we could have some good news about our band to top it all off.
x
iii need 2 right u something in code an soon…
Playing at Ballet:
She couldn’t say
or know well
if her drive
to direct the girl
to America, Europe even Melbourne
was a desire
to escape her own shell.
She discovered once when one
city seemed like hell
substituting the other
worked quite well
if even just overnight.
She tried it once.
She accompanied him.
He left her during the day
to find her own way
and she did -
straying all over the place.
Wending a vague way in a strange place.
And the escape was like
years and continents away
but couldn’t stay…
a few years later
she contemplated
a similar escapade
but never made headway.
So today
she trades here
for fantasies of there
somewhere
at land’s end
at the weekend
this time travelling alone
hoping maybe
to see a friend from home.
i keep forgetting. I’m the beggar in the streets. difool
i’m traveling towards the twin stars
with music in my capsule, i’ve come too far…
you are everything is a work of art
let it comfort me as old friends depart…
alone in the void of space, the music and words call out…
steering me to the light, i hope the craft doesn’t come apart…
you are everything is a verse of sonic scripture…
i’ll get mine, you get yours…
Can’t wait for it to arrive
As per usual, I look forward to this but how could it be better than Isidore 1? I’ve got to say, for me, ALL of your collaborations pale to that. That was close to perfection and I have found the Kennedy collaborations nowwhere near as good.
Still, I will buy it and I will try to have an open mind about it.
Talk Talk
Just read an interview with Mark Hollis in 1991. He was the reclusive leader and vocalist of Talk Talk He stated that he was vegetarian after doing much research. If still true that would be a welcome addition to the many great musical talents that will not harm animals (SK, MACCA, C, Hynde, J.Beck. Tom Scholz, MOZ, S.Howe, kd lang and many others. Even far out Julian Cope and Captain Sensible.
both talk talk and the blue nile were extraordinary outfits.
thanks for mentioning the Blue Nile album “Walk Across the Rooftops” recently – just got this album and it’s brilliant.
Good luck with the chrunch gig today.
I so hope you can all find a way forward.
x
even ploogy turned-up!
Will it be available to the usual media outlets? When “White Magic” was up for grabs at PopMatters, I volunteered…obviously did not get it. Perhaps I will get the assignment this time.
I recently purchased the download for “The Idyllist”. Don’t know what to think just yet. Then again, I didn’t know what to think of “Unearthed” and “Painkiller” when I first heard them either.
Hope everything is okay with the band.
John
gig went down a treat. Lovely to see crowd silhouetted against the clearsky sunset and, at darkness, dancing, cheering and waving little lights as unguarded moment drifted up into the stars. Band in good spirits.
(tremolo tremens)
Hi Steve,
just listened to ” I wouldn’t Know”. Sublime music, and your voice just gets better. No need to sing in front of noisy guitars. After hearing this first song I know its gonna be a classic. Could I ask you couple of things please.
1. this is the end of the trilogy, but you will be working together again?
2. it mentions on the website the double CD for sale, but no mention of a download version. I take it this is just a matter of time?
Take care
Gordon
gordon
1 its the end of the trilogy and the beginning of the future so
2 i guess we will go on working together
i think we have an ever fruitful partnership going here
definitely an ongoing thing whatever does or doesnt happen i think
sk
Thanks for replying Steve. Can’t wait for this album. Enjoy your upcoming acting shows.
Take care
Gordon
You boys I want need you to your America more specially you are everything
amazing album , beautiful guys