KiZiLOK – Between the Thought and the Act
KiZiLOK are two brothers from the North West of England embroiled in the myriad musical influences associated with the region. Ian KiZiLOK is the enigma, eschewing attention or publicity of any kind. Hardly type for a frontman whereas multi- instrumentalist Andy Clegg will be better known to many as the guitarist or keyboard player with a host of legendary Manchester acts, chief among which The Chameleons and its post-break-up offshoot, The Sun And The Moon. Clegg also participated in the second Black Swan Lane long player, the referentially titled, Sun And The Moon Sessions. A fuller profile can be found via the interview, linked below.
KiZiLOK though is a markedly different proposition, a real Lancastrian hotpot of different styles and influences. Indie rock prevails but elements of raga, psychedelia and Eastern Drone add spice to this dish. Between the Thought and the Act is particularly strong percussively. Robotic sequenced drums give way to more naturalistic playing but the effect is always hypnotic. Mash-ups, cut-ups, little passages of movie dialogue or speeches add yet more seasoning to the pot. There may even be a fretless bass (‘Lovesick’) evoking the late, great Mick Karn. But yes folks, there are tunes too. ‘Providence’ is the standout straight rock/pop song with glamour and sheen emanating from its sweeping synthesiser parts. For the most part, eerie melodies float in and out of all these tracks. The closest comparison I could throw out might be Matt Johnson’s Burning Blue Soul. KiZiLOK though, is darker. Between the Thought and the Act hosts gnarled, bitter tunes. Floaty, carousel ride ‘You Go Away’ is a fucked up waltz in the tradition of Cocteau Twins ‘Multifoilded’. Its time signature echoes Badalamenti’s work for David Lynch films. ‘Torben Byl’ comes over like XTC covering the Peel championed psych rock act, Tractor.
The album is deliberately partitioned into two ‘sides’ and we can make the case that side B is the light to side A’s shade. In addition to the previously mentioned ‘Providence’, ‘I’m Gone’ is a sparkly indie hit from another universe. Ian sings like Richard Butler from a more psychedelic Furs. It all comes full circle on the reprised ‘Lovesick’.
Too modest for their own damn good, KiZiLOK are constantly and knowingly undersold. Yet with Between the Thought and the Act they have made something brilliantly surprising and surprisingly brilliant. Miss this at your peril.
For information on how to buy the album please e-mail gnrecords@gmail.com