THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: kaleo

KALEO – Surface Sounds

December 10, 2021 /

This is the band’s third album released earlier this year. I first came to know of this band after buying their 2nd album on the fly then witnessing them live. They’re from Iceland and have this uncanny ability of sounding like they are from delta blues Mississippi. This is due to the amazing vocal talents of Jj Julius Son with his smooth smoky tone.

The two opening tracks, Brother Run Fast and Break My Baby, have that recurring delta vibe, and the third track, Alter Ego, has more of a Stones take on the blues. They have a very unique take on this old genre, mixing it with an indie pop sensibility that really works. Highlights for me are the already mentioned Alter Ego, and the groove laden Hey Gringo, but it’s the real soulful Into My Mothers Arms which wins it for me.

A very unique band worthy of your attention.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

KALEO – A/B

March 29, 2021 /

It’s easy to see how America thought KALEO were from one of the southern states, as their mix of delta blues with modern production is straight out of Mississippi. In fact, they are from that hotbed of the blues – Iceland. This is their second full length release and it is split into Side White and Side Black or A&B. Mixed with a modern leaning on blues, and great production, we have a winner winner chicken dinner.

They had two huge hit singles from this record in America – the opening two tracks No Good and the platinum Way Down We Go. Have to say there is a touch of The Black Keys at play, but that’s not a bad thing. Broken Bones is straight out of Clarksdale – they certainly do it right. Side B is more acoustic in approach, and more authentic if you will, with a big dose of Americana thrown into the mix. Vocalist JJ Julius Son has an amazing voice that is pure blues one minute, and pure roots the next. All The Pretty Girls is such a beautiful song. Automobile is straight out of the American roots song book, but sang in Icelandic.

I managed to catch them live a couple of years ago and they were fantastic. A great band, and this album deserves your attention.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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