Gorgeous melodic guitar pop with an edge from a cool London band

13 MP3 Songs
POP: Power Pop, POP: British Pop



Details:
Throw the melodies and harmonies of the 60s up in the air, smash them into submission with the full-on attack and energy of punk, add a distinctive vocal style a la Costello or Tilbrook, and you have Kelly's Heels. Led on guitar and vocals by Bob Kelly, supported by the ferocious drumming of Jim Kimberley and the groovy bass lines of Isobel Morris, this is a band you can't afford to miss. Though you can hear the influences of the British greats - The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who - in the music, the band blends those influences into a mix that is both highly contemporary but also timeless, producing a rich variety of stunning songs. Whether it's the energy and punkish swagger of Bombshell Baby, or the heart-rending poignancy of the ballad Walk Alone, the versatility of Bob Kelly's songwriting is a revelation. Londoner Bob Kelly formed his first band with classmates at school in England at the age of 9. His first band The Ashes gigged regularly around London playing a fast-and-furious brand of post-punk power pop. Following a band name change to Kelly's Heel's, Bob met Jim Kimberley, whose ability to match and, in some cases, challenge, on drums the relentless pace set by Bob on guitar, has led to a positive creative partnership. The addition of the beautiful Isobel Morris on bass and backing vocals completes the line-up.The versatile Mr Kelly has also recently provided guitar contributions to the BBC3 comedy series Thieves Like Us, and will also soon be heard on backing vocals on the forthcoming new Rinaldi Sings album. Check out the websites www.kellysheels.com and www.myspace.com/kellysheels for more.

Reviews: "Oodles of hooks, harmonies and repeated choruses that won't leave your head no matter how hard you try ... Kelly's vibrato-flecked lead-vocals make the album wholly unique. " Toast magazine

"The melody of the '60s injected with the mayhem of the '70s" - Gary Pig Gold

"An artist at once incurably romantic and incurably neurotic ... Musically, Kelly strikes me in many ways as a British version of the Rooks' Michael Mazzarella, but with a voice and songwriting sensibility more reminiscent of Glenn Tilbrook. Boasts some first-rate influences - Beatles, early Costello and Lowe ... but what is especially impressive is his attention to songcraft." Dawn Eden

"Majestically moving melodies and ludicrously strong vocals " Melody Maker

"Bob Kelly's basic mission is to squeeze as much as possible into the two-and-a half minute audio-space ..... and he does it wonderfully ...non-stop-hooks that makes you hit the repeat button again and again ... gorgeous melodies and super-catchy choruses" - POPISM

"Kellys Heels is doing some of the finest, most consistently listenable, Fab Four-inspired, power pop on the planet. " - NOT LAME

"Urgent guitars, sticky-sharp hooks and harmonies to die (or kill) for ... Kelly's quite the tunesmith, penning and singing memorable numbers like "Someone, Somewhere" (a bloody classic, this one), "Tell Me When It's Over" and "Should've Seen Her." No ballads to be found here, kids, just high-energy, killer pop toons. Remember: it's not retro, it's timeless. " Goldmine Magazine, Three Chord Brag review

"Starting off with a juicy chunk of Beatlesesque, sticks-to-the roof-of-your-mouth jangle, Kelly's Heels lights a real fire under the bum of informed Brit pop. Really glorious pop writing. " - CD Baby