Isidore

Isidore & Steve Kilbey

Released on 14/06/2004 by Communicating Vessels
Main artists: Isidore Steve Kilbey
Genre: Alternative & Indie

Available in

16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo

Unlimited Streaming

Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps

Start my trial period and start listening to this album

Enjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription

Digital Download

Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

Steve Kilbey of the Church has done any number of side projects, solo or otherwise, over the years, so the appearance of another one in 2004 wasn't too surprising. But the nice thing about Isidore was the nature of the collaboration -- instead of contributing both singing and music, he only does vocals, leaving everything else to his partner in the duo. This would be Remy Zero's Jeffrey Cain, who to his credit avoids trying to clone Kilbey's music -- at least most of the time ("Refused on Temple St." almost starts out like "Under the Milky Way" in terms of pace) to provide something just distinct enough. The music on Isidore is still a textured and rich take on post-everything rock & roll with more than a few nods to psychedelia, but in a more modern sense. Cain provides shuffling hip-hop beats, guitars and keyboards calling to mind the lovely work of the Cocteau Twins and the Durutti Column (especially circa LC), and even a hint or two of the descending glam rock chords (check the chorus of "Sanskrit") that similarly provided guidance for Kilbey's youth. Songs like "Saltwater" and the appropriately uneasy "Ghosting" show his music at its detailed best, layered but always working towards a beautifully moody atmosphere. Kilbey, meanwhile, shows that his singing gifts are perfectly intact as always -- and not only that, but that his sense for a gripping image and witty humor might well be improving with time. When his trademark world-weary contemplative sigh comes to the fore elsewhere, the blend with Cain's careful arrangements provides a new angle all around to what might otherwise have been a familiar effort. Particularly striking songs include "The Memory Cloud," with an aspirational chorus blending guitar and backing vocals and the ominous loom and cryptic condemnation of "One for Iris Doe," a dark song for a dark time. But the hands down winner also provides the album's out-of-nowhere bizarre moment: the ranting American-accented preacher voice kicking off the sparkling but doomy "CA Redemption Value" -- as close to a combined Kid A and Diamond Dogs tribute track yet recorded.

© Ned Raggett /TiVo

More info

Isidore

You are currently listening to samples.

Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.

Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.

From 12.49€/month

Musidora

00:04:03

Steve Kilbey, Composer, MainArtist - Isidore, MainArtist - Jeffrey Cain, Composer - AMCOS, MusicPublisher - Iris Doe Music, MusicPublisher

Refused On Temple St

00:04:06