Still stumbling upon records from last year that I missed first time around but take my fancy as I chance across them. Here's another, Kyle Craft's debut album Dolls of Highland, which came out on Sup Pop records. He hails originally from Shrevepont, Louisiana and though there's a sprinkle of Southern Voodoo in the mix for the most part it's pure Art School Glam, a remarkable simulation of all the camper tightrope instincts of that scene, a walk on the wild side straight out of 1972. There's absolutely no reason while listening to believe this was actually recorded 44 years later.
That's not to denigrate the album itself. It's a great listen, full of beautifully crafted songs of arch poseur pick and mixing thievery from Jobriath, (most of all), Bowie, New York Dolls, Sparks, Eno and Cockney Rebel. Craft's voice particularly has a wonderful, evocative range and occasional full throated howl, while the arrangement of the songs is astute and seamless. The record features a song entitled Berlin naturally, (though apparently it's about a stripper not a city), and elsewhere Craft preens and croons relentlessly as if this is the first time anybody has ever thought of doing this stuff! So recline on your chaise lounge, kick off your heels and dream that you're on your way out to Max's Kansas City tonight. Kyle Craft will take you there.
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