SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PETER DALTREY & THE KNOW ESCAPE – RUNNING THROUGH CHELSEA

Peter Daltrey & The Know Escape
Running Through Chelsea
Think Like A Key Music

Running Through Chelsea is a good example of how music can mesh together from different genres and different eras. Peter Daltrey has been making music since the 1960s, with the classic and revered band Kaleidoscope — so revered in fact that their debut album sells for over $2000 — and in the 1970s with Fairfield Parlour. On this album,  Daltrey teams up with Mark Mortimer (DC Fontana, The Sorrows) and the two have come up with a truly original album full of brilliant songs. The album is a crossroad of psychedelic, alternative, pop, rock and everything in between, and these two have the talent to pull it off.

The album is produced by Rick Reil and longtime Julian Cope producer/collaborator David Ross Skinner. One can certainly see the Cope influence, but it is not distracting nor is it a copy of Julian Cope. He was always influenced by the British psychedelic music scene and no doubt is a fan of Kaleidoscope. So perhaps it is more that he has been searching for the sounds on this album. On Running Through Chelsea, Daltrey shows off his ability to sing in many styles, from out and out rockers (“Turn On Your Radio”) to gentle ballads (“Time And Tide”). He has a very distinct and rich voice. It is a joy to listen to throughout the album.

There are a lot of surprises and interesting tracks throughout the album. “Hotel Juliet” starts off like a Hammer Horror soundtrack and slowly moves into a psychedelic rock groove, while “Casablanca” achieves a sound that countless 1980s bands tried to capture mixing psychedelic and 80s music.  Then they move on to “Those Days , which should be a single. The chorus grabs the listener and does not let go untl the song is embedded in the brain. It is a beautiful song full of hooks and wonderful harmonies. The title track, “Running Through Chelsea” is textbook psychedelic, complete with backward tapes. Meanwhile “Houses And Rooms” could be a great lost Beatles track.

Lyrically, it is all true poetry. Some of the lines make sense, while others it is more a vibe than clear meaning, but that is what makes this so much fun. It is a multi-layered listening experience. Running Through Chelsea sets a new standard for Daltrey. It is great to have him back and making such wonderful music. This is not a retro or throwback album. This is an album that may be ahead of its time.

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