Customer Reviews

Kollected Works

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It was twenty years ago from this day, 6/28/04, since I first obtained the vinyl album "Music Madness from the Kinetic Kid" by Klark Kent. I was a college bound that summer and this album simply changed my life. Written and performed solely by Klark Kent himself, this music is simply a masterpiece that will forever sit in a class by itself.

When Klark Kent first came upon the underground music scene in 1978, no one expected his single "Don't Care" to be a chart topper when it reached #28 in the British Top 40. He became a peculiar enigma as his identity was unknown to the public, appearing at The Top of the Pops TV studio wearing a mask. But by the time he released the 10-inch vinyl album "Music Madness from the Kinetic Kid" in 1980, most in the industry had cracked the case. Playing all the instruments himself and singing his own lyrics may not have been the typical behavior of Police drummer Stewart Copeland, but it became the mainstay of his alter ego. This CD puts together all of the songs from that eight song album, plus the singles and flipsides released in 1978, along with some extra material. The music is a curious mix of his droll lyrics centered around a blend of strong rhythm rock guitars and a steady bass. The quirky vocals provide the forefront that is catapulted by his trademark vigorous offbeat drumming.

As a diehard of the Kinetic Kid, I still love the extra tracks on this disc, although they could have been presented better technically. The songs "Stay Ready," "Strange Things Happen," and "Love Lessons" were actually recorded by Colts; Stewart Copeland and Derek Holt. They're great works, they just don't belong on this CD. Klark Kent gained notoriety as being a one-man band, so Holt's inclusion, even if only as a backup vocalist, seriously dilutes that. At the end of "Strange Things Happen," you can hear a tiny clip from "The Rhythmatist," Copeland's solo album. The song "Excess," truly one of Kent's best, is billed as "Excesses." And the Klark Kent song "Guerilla" appears only as a hidden track at the end of "Office Talk."

However, despite these technicalities, I still have to give this "Kollection" a big huge thumbs up for its uniqueness and masterful style. The interview in the liner notes is great as it adds to the whole Klark Kent mystique. There will never be another musical creation quite this. Whether you are a fan of the Police, but more importantly, of Stewart Copeland, then you HAVE to have this CD. It was the forerunner of his brilliant solo instrumental soundtrack work to follow.

I first discovered the mysterious figure known as Klark Kent back in the 80s, when as a big fan of the Police I was surprised to find the Klark Kent EP in my local record store's Police bin. "What is this?" I wondered, and took it home unaware how much joy it would end up bringing me through the years.

Turns out the album was the wickedly inventive, fun, and energetic work of none other than Police drummer Stewart Copeland. As "Klark Kent" he played all instruments from drums to piano to kazoo, and sang lyrics that Sting wouldn't go near with a ten-foot pole but that still crack me up to this day ("I was lecturing the kitchen 'til the icebox got bored/And where's that girl gone, I was sure I'd scored!")

I wore that old lp out, then did the same with my cassette copy, so it was with great delight that I finally discovered this cd release, which also included singles, b-sides, and other tracks from the mysterious Mr. Kent through the years. If you are a fan of the Police, particularly on their first few albums, this is definitely a must-have for the collection as it reveals just how much influence Stewart had over the musical sound of their earlier work, beyond simply his drumming. These are fun, witty, punk/pop songs that never grow old. One can also hear hints of some of what would come later in Stewart's more "complex" soundtrack work, such as his score for "Rumble Fish".

As for Stewart's singing voice, well, it's definitely in the love-it-or-hate-it category. To me it perfectly fits the humorous tone of much of the material. I actually wish he would get behind the mic more often today.

The only oversight here is Klark's "Klassic" Christmas song, "Yo Ho Ho", is missing and still only available on the IRS collection "Just in Time for Christmas". One can only hope that this disc will eventually be rereleased, or perhaps be part of a Copeland boxed set that deserves to see the light of day at some point.

For any of you die hard Police fans out there...or just you casual Every Breath You Take fan...would you like to know where this synergy started??? This is a classic lineup from Stewart Copland's building days just before he met up with two other local musicians living and playing in London's Mid 70s style punk movement named Andy Summers and Sting. I'm sure you know they're names by now. This album is filled with Copeland's exercise in Reggae purcussion. From here we moved into Stronium 90 and this catapulted the new group into a session sizzling straight into Roxanne and 30 years later straight into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame!!! These three were monsterous together. Klark Kent offers a portrait of a young Stewart Copland cultivating his sound and vision the way he saw it to be done. Personally, my favorate track on Kollected Works is the last tune...Office Talk. All instrumental with the exception of voices of offbeat young London Secretaries chatting amongst one another...gossiping in an almost sexy way with Copland top-hat chiming away sounding like a lit match hitting cool water. So that's what those girls talk about in mid day!! Wonderful beginnings in the roots of my favorate rock trio only to come. You got to love music!!!

Okay, this was in my wish list for about 2 years. Didn't want to spend $40 plus for a CD. Have never listened to it prior to today. I think it's great. Reminds me of Stewart's other stuff, perhaps a blend between some of the Stew Police songs and Rumble Fish, but way better than Rumble Fish. Very punk sounding, not too close to Rhythmatist since it doesn't sound like World music.... Fun lyrics. Catchy tunes. Great drumming of course. I'm really glad I finally have it, and imagine I will be listening to relatively frequently compared to rest of my collection.

There's a band out there, that if you haven't heard of, it wouldn't be huge surprise. It's called the Embarrassment. That is the closest I have heard to this, and I highly recommend their CD from a way's back: http://www.amazon.com/Heyday-1979-83-Embarrassment/dp/B0000048EC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1285013003&sr=1-1. I'm going to play it now! :)

If you like S Copeland, you will almost assuredly like Kollected Works.

The product came with no disappointments and no delay. I would like to have recieved a reply to the email I sent, though.

I was really impressed by this CD. I heard some of Stewart's works and expected his first solo album to be at least decent. I was surprised when found out that it is AWESOME! It appears he had the talent to begin with-the album sounds about just as good as the subsequent Police releases, especially considering that Stewart played on ALL the instruments(guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and everything)!
The songs range between witty(and clever) and funny(the man has great humour), but are always interesting to listen to. Overall, the album is just wonderful.
One last thing-this is the best(if not only) chance to hear Stewart Copeland playing guitar solos!

It is nice to remember those years of hard beaten punk, blonde reggeae.
A very rare piece for every THE POLICE fan.

Just got back into listening to this recently and it's still great. The Police ultimately became Stings baby, but there's no doubting Copeland's influence on early Police when listening to this little green masterpiece. It's the closest thing to early Police that isn't The Police. It's quite apparent that Stewart was an accomplished musician and songwriter (beyond drums) even back then.

'Thrills' could have been on Outlandos D'Amour and been a live favourite ala 'Next To You'. 'Rich In A Ditch' could have come from 'Regatta'.

The music stands up and you either like the vocal style or you don't. A little humour and dry delivery only enhances the unique thing that is Klark Kent. A blast from the past but one that still sounds great.