Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - Superscope

One of the genuine thrills of hearing a new artist is that expectations are wide open. Listening to Superscope, the fourth and latest release from Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, a sibling trio from the UK that has been around since the dawn of the 21^st century, I was very pleasantly surprised to find their music so full of old-time rock and roll. The members are multi-instrumentalists who superbly utilize the analogue equipment in their personal vintage recording studio to perfect their retro sound. Superscope is crammed full of swinging rockabilly, earthy blues, and sultry soul, all genres that rarely disappoint me, and this album is no exception.

The Durham family, who are also joined on tour by their mom and dad (with their own musical histories – mom was once a drummer in The Raincoats and dad was a mastering engineer at The Exchange studio in London) play a sumptuous music that encapsulates the best attributes of rock and roll, while maintaining a certain punk aestheticism that keeps things fresh and edgy.

Trading off lead vocal duties between brother and sisters allows the songs to have a broad appeal, even as I found those sung by the ladies to my favorites. The first single, a risqué number whose name – “Down on my Knees” – says it all, is a sexy, playful, wah-pedal infused rocker that is ideally representative of the album’s overall good-time vibe. Ditto for the plucky “The Game is On,” a song that sounds like the collaborative efforts of Imelda May and early X.

The tight, smoky rhythm and blues-tinged opener “You’re So Fine” sets the tempo for the ten-song set, but there are some sweet surprises as well. The twangy, torchy “Team Strong,” Otis Redding-inspired “Love Me So,” guitar-driven surf-funk of “Black Van,” and closing instrumental “Broccoli Tempura,” which harkens back to the soulful organ and Telecaster groove of Booker T & the M.G.’s, showcase just how accomplished and infectious is this trio’s music.

Superscope is an addictive album, shooting clean and pure into your veins. Add this to your party mix and just try to keep your hips from shaking.