Album Review: Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, Smoking In Heaven

Kitty, Daisy, and Lewis. Photo / Supplied

If the 2009 debut from London's Durham clan was the soundtrack to a very cool 1950s' school dance, then follow up Smoking in Heaven is a more rollicking and reckless knees-up for grown-ups.

There's smoking, drinking, and even some moochy moments in the little boys' and girls' rooms, like on the first half of the saucy and sultry Baby Don't You Know About Me.

It's a good old-fashioned take-your-partner-by-the-hand record and is a bolder step up from their debut for a number of reasons. The siblings write all the songs - in various combinations - for a start, whereas the first album was a mix of originals and covers.

But most noticeable is its diversity. While still retaining a rootsy, old-time rock 'n' roll sound with Hawaiian, country and swing music thrown in, the album begins with a knee-bending ska chink and bursts of trumpet on Tomorrow, and I'm So Sorry takes you back to the dance halls of Jamaica in the 60s.

Elsewhere Latin influences come through and Don't Make a Fool Out Of Me is an oddly inspired mix of blues and 60s psychedelic pop, with an almost cocky Brit pop beat to it. Although it's no Cigarettes and Alcohol.

Then there's the hand-claps and allure of the girls' dead-beat, almost sulky lilt on I'm Going Back, seven-minute long What Quid? is a trippy, and sometimes wild thigh-slapper and, rather fittingly, the whole family - dad Graeme (Daddy Grazz) and mum Ingrid play in the kids' band too - co-write the title track, a jaunty harmonica-driven jam that trundles along beautifully for almost nine minutes.

The stylish, and rather fetching Durham kids have already made many friends in New Zealand, having been down here twice in the last few years. And their fans range from the oldies, some of whom were in wheelchairs according to Daisy who was interviewed by TimeOut last year, through to the younger, more discerning music-lovers brigade.

The only track that might not be to their liking however is the Latin-tinged funk of Messing With My Life, which sounds like a dated and lightweight song a school band might come up with.

That said, Smoking in Heaven is a playful and fun piece of modern day vintage rock 'n' roll (with many other musical twists) - and if you don't think so then you might need to go shopping for some new blue suede dancing shoes.

Stars: 3/5
Verdict: Another good rock 'n' roll vintage.
Buy Smoking In Heaven

-TimeOut