What does it sound like?:
There is something stirring in sleepy Burton-on-Trent and it’s not a mouse. Kitten Pyramid, a loose collective that must involve half the town with its twelve listed members, string section, brass band and no less than two choirs, have released a Christmas Psychedelic Pop concept album. Supported by the Vegetarian Society, they are after your traditional Christmas dinner and, if you don’t comply, they will stun you with jalapenos bullets and put you in enforced rehab. Scott Milligan, lead singer and main writer, explains: “I drove past an abattoir truck just before Christmas 2021, and imagined what it would be like if I was crammed in there with my family, confused, terrified and afraid for our lives.” It is, to say the least, an unusual festive album.
Never fear. You can sleep soundly. Kitten Pyramid have a serious message but there is a tongue firmly in a cheek. The music reveals their true nature, that of passive-aggressive hippies and not psychopathic terrorists. The songs are composed on acoustic guitar and have a ring of familiarity suggesting they have been borrowed. The choirs to guide us in an aural karaoke and the tunes are simple, giving Kiddo the feel of a communal singalong. This is Kitten Pyramid’s third album and the previous ones have been likened to Prog. There are time signature changes and some unexpected codas but there is nothing wibbly and the rhythms remain quite regular. There is a touch of Syd’s Madhatter Tea Party in the lyrics and a smattering of Pink Floyd pastoral whimsy in the music but both are very welcome given the subject matter. Whale is about a livestock farmer’s daughter invited to escape an imploding world by aliens. Eli Bishop adds exhilarating fiddle to the melting pot. Biscuits beautifully and poignantly captures existential angst in a humdrum life. For some reason, there is also a song about a man from the BBC which seems to belong on a different album altogether. Animals is when Kitten Pyramid get deadly serious with the help of Linda Chalk’s narration. It’s chilling, hard-hitting and very effective, especially as levity is reassumed for the closing three tracks.
Kiddo is Kitten Pyramid’s third album and they are beginning to be noticed by 6Music. Their vegetarian message is likely to be lost in all the excitement and anticipation, judging by The Afterword’s Christmas Dinner thread. Nevertheless, career-wise, they may be on to something. They are certainly ploughing their very own furrow.
What does it all *mean*?
This is what happens when vegetarians partake in magic mushrooms
Goes well with…
Nut roast
Release Date:
09/12/2022
Might suit people who like…
Delightfully bonkers music
Tiggerlion says
It’s tricky choosing one track that represents this album. Jalapenos:
Moose the Mooche says
I think I prefer psychotic terrorists.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Anybody checked Tig’s meds recently?
Moose the Mooche says
Funny, I knew you’d be here…
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Restraining Order expired
Moose the Mooche says
Let freedom reign!
Bargepole says
For anyone fancying a listen, last year’s album ‘Koozy’ is currently available to download free from their website,
Baron Harkonnen says
Sorry Tiggs, I`ve heard plenty of music like this before and never been impressed and I ain`t now.
However, horses for courses.
kittenpyramid says
plenty of music like what exactly?
SteveT says
Horses for courses? Are you in France @Baron-Harkonnen?
The chance of me listening to an album by vegetarian evangelists is nil.
kittenpyramid says
always good to have an open mind lol.