Review: Kyla P and the Revolving Door

Kyla P and the Revolving Door - Life Lessons (Pt 1 Earth and Fire) (Independent) Kyla Pitruzzello began playing guitar and singing aged 16, but then life went and got in the way. It happens. Now, nearly two decades later, she’s recorded her first album, and I’m sure I wont be the only one who feels like they’ve been missing out. There’s a late ‘70s feel to “Life Lessons (Pt 1 Earth and Fire)” which brings to mind Patti Smith’s “Easter” and “Wave” albums, both in Pitruzzello’s phrasing and the music, including the combination of instruments. Yet it doesn’t sound particularly derivative or unoriginal, perhaps because it seems so out of time, but I suspect the real reason is that Kyla Pitruzzello is a genuine talent.

There are only seven tracks on her album, though it comes in at around 35 minutes, more than enough time to draw proper conclusions. The album begins with seven-plus minutes of “Collide”, with its references to sunrise and as an early opportunity to get to grips with Pitruzzello’s range, it makes perfect sense. “Lost” follows and it’s pacey and urgent with a fine rhythmic thrust. “A Lie” is full of restrained tension, and it’s the best vocal on the whole record, though my favourite track is “Contamination”. It begins with a muffled crowd scene (not unlike Lou Reed’s “Berlin”), before a bass line threatens, like something out of Jeff Wayne’s “War Of The Worlds”, while a simple keyboard loop / hook kicks in. It sounds complicated, but it’s not, and the song, crooned gently is full of hidden meaning and mysterious intent. Fantastic!
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Rob F.