Having returned to Domino, after a brief flirtation with a major label, King Creosote’s will to confuse and innovate shows no sign of abating. His new album, appropriately titled ‘Flick The Vs’, shows a previously unexpected and unexplored love of Krautrock, combined with some of King Creosote’s most vitriolic lyrics. The intro to album opener ‘No One Had It Better’ sounds like a mixture of Can and ‘Sparky’s Magic Piano’, and continues to confound for the next seven minutes, before closing with the with ‘King Creosote Rules OK’ repeatedly spelled out.
Second track ‘Two Frocks At A Wedding’ starts of as a more traditional King Creosote with his distinctive vocals, and a repeated refrain of “You’re scaring me now” over a rolling bass line. ‘Camels Swapped For Wives’ starts with a strange rap/drawl before returning to the plaintive crooning that we expect, with lyrics touching upon religion and retribution. ‘Coast On By’ has been described by fellow Fence artist Pictish Trail as a ‘Dexy’s Infused Motown Stomp’, and is the ideal choice as a first single. ‘Nothing Rings True’ starts off with just acoustic guitar backing, but with swirling feedback and distorted echo being added into the mix as the song progresses.
Album closer ‘Saw Circular Prowess’ is the standout track. Muse-style falsetto style singing, combined with piano & guitar backing and containing some of his most colourful language creates an epic end to a very good and very different album.