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Drew Kennett is clearly a man out of his own time; in fact, he is misplaced by a good thirty or forty years. I say this because ‘Songs From The Devils Chimney’ is, essentially, a sixties folk-rock album. With the assistance of Paul Butler (from The Bees), who produced this album, Drew has managed to create an album of great skill and beauty. If you are trying to imagine what this album sounds like then you should conjure into you mind a de-politicised Bob Dylan, a confident Nick Drake or a less experimental Paul Simon. The mood of the album is relaxed and intimate, the earnest guitar work occasionally lifted by strings and effects. The ‘Devil’s Chimney’ of the title is a local attraction from the home of both Drew and The Bees, the Isle of Wight.
Drew is a charismatic eccentric who has experienced more of life’s ups and downs than even the most weary traveller. Despite his young age you can feel the genuine pain and joy of love and life in the simple, direct heartfelt songs showcased on his appropriately titled debut EP “Under The Weather”. Drew is a charismatic eccentric who has experienced more of life’s ups and downs than even the most weary traveller. Despite his young age you can feel the genuine pain and joy of love and life in the simple, direct heartfelt songs showcased on his appropriately titled debut EP “Under The Weather”
From the consoling nature of lead track ‘Under The Weather’ to the introspection of ‘You Don’t know Me’ the EP clearly has melancholic tones, but there is an underlying torrent of joy in Drew’ s music. The EP is produced by fellow (Isle Of) Wight trash and Mercury Nominees, The Bees, whose melodious organic style perfectly complement Drew’s vocals, (less most definitely is more in this case).
Sometimes we need songs. You know, proper songs. Songs that stick in the mind and have a middle eight. Songs that could be performed by one fella and a beat-up guitar but have been recorded with Hammond organs, three-part harmonies and fuzzy valve amps. Drew makes exactly that kind of song. His album, named after a beauty spot in his beloved home, The Isle Of Wight, was recorded with the help of his old schoolmate Paul Butler, of fellow islanders The Bees. And, like them, Drew’s music possesses the timeless vintage charm that offers a rose-tinted glow to life. Sometimes we all need those kind of songs.
Matt Walton 08 April 04
‘Drew sings songs of longing and heartbreak with spiky arrangements and tantalising melodies’ - Gavin Martin (The Mirror)
’The Isle Of Wights own Shaun Ryder, but with more charisma than a hundred Happy Mondays’ - The Face
