Their début single, 'To You', on Ugly Man Records was produced by and featured backing vocals by Guy Garvey, lead singer of Еlbow.
Début album Natural History was released in March 2001 on Wall of Sound offshoot We Love You. It was followed by the self-titled I Am Kloot in September 2003 on the Echo label. In their early years I Am Kloot were regarded by many as an example of the 'quiet is the new loud' trend in indie rock, as they gained prominence in the same years as, for example, Turin Brakes and Norway's Kings of Convenience. I Am Kloot, however mostly acoustic, were definitely not always 'quiet', if only because of Bramwell's rough singing and Hargreaves' often powerful drumming.
The third 'Kloot' LP, Gods and Monsters, was released in April 2005. The band subsequently announced their departure from the label, citing reasons such as a lack of financial support and the cancellation of singles at short notice. The band released a compilation of radio sessions, BBC Radio 1 John Peel Sessions in October 2006, a collection of two Peel Sessions and other rarities.
Their fourth album, I Am Kloot Play Moolah Rouge, was released in April 2008. Once again a compilation album followed in its slipstream, this time 2009's collection of B-sides, rare recordings, sessions, and previously unreleased material, entitled B.
Following the somewhat disappointing sales of the 'Moolah Rouge' album, I Am Kloot had Elbow's Guy Garvey and Craig Potter produce their next studio album, which turned out to be a majestic return to form. Sky at Night (released July 2010) was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and charted at #24 in the U.K. album charts.
I Am Kloot were back on the map. 2013's Let It All In became their highest charting album in the U.K. (#10), but would turn out to be their final studio LP together. There would be two more releases (a soundtrack album called From There to Here in 2014, and a 2015 live album entitled Hold Back the Night: I Am Kloot Live) before John Bramwell announced (in late 2017) that the group had quietly split up a year or so earlier.
"There was no heavy break-up or anything," Bramwell said. "I just wanted to do something else. I'll never say never to getting back together but I was in I Am Kloot most of my adult life, but just as you can go to a great place on holiday year after year, sooner or later you want to go to somewhere else."
No Direction Home
I Am Kloot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
scour the universe you know
set my compass north,
circumscribe the earth and go
no direction home
what's my part in this,
what's your way with this,
what d'you want to see and who d'you want to know?
you've no direction home
no direction home
no direction
feels like all is lost,
there's nowhere left to go
through the seas and sands,
across the skies, through the morning snow
is there no direction home?
nowhere left to go?
no direction home
The lyrics of I Am Kloot's song, "No Direction Home" convey a sense of aimlessness and searching for meaning in life. The singer is lost and desperate to find a sense of direction. The verses depict the singer's restlessness as they crawl upon the earth and scour the universe, searching for something that will give their life meaning. The chorus repeats the line "No direction home," emphasizing the singer's feelings of being lost and confused.
The second verse emphasizes the singer's inner turmoil, as they ask themselves what their part is in life and wonder about their dreams and aspirations. They turn their attention to those around them, asking what they want to see and who they want to know, further emphasizing the sense of searching and seeking direction. The final verse emphasizes the singer's desperation, feeling as though they've hit a dead-end and have nowhere left to turn. They express a sense of hopelessness as they traverse through various terrains, ultimately wondering if there is no direction home.
Overall, "No Direction Home" is a poignant and relatable song that conveys a common experience of feeling lost and unsure of one's path in life. The lyrics and melody capture the singer's sense of restless searching and convey a sense of melancholy, making it a deeply moving and introspective song.
Line by Line Meaning
crawl upon the earth,
Moving slowly and steadily through life, enduring struggles and challenges.
scour the universe you know
Exploring every corner of the world and beyond, trying to find a sense of purpose and belonging.
set my compass north,
Trying to find a clear path and sense of direction, despite the confusion and uncertainty.
circumscribe the earth and go
Moving around the world, looking for answers and trying to understand oneself.
no direction home
Feeling lost and without purpose, unsure of where to go or what to do next.
what's my part in this,
Questioning one's role in life and trying to understand how they fit in the world.
what's this dream i can't let go?
Wondering about a specific desire or ambition that cannot be shaken, no matter how hard one tries.
what's your way with this,
Asking others for guidance and insights on how to live one's best life.
what d'you want to see and who d'you want to know?
Questioning one's desires and the people they surround themselves with, looking for greater fulfillment.
you've no direction home
Pointing out to another person that they seem lost and unsure of their path in life.
no direction home
Restating the previous point, emphasizing the sense of confusion and aimlessness.
feels like all is lost,
Expressing a sense of hopelessness and despair, unable to find a way forward.
there's nowhere left to go
Feeling trapped and at a dead end, with no clear options or opportunities ahead.
through the seas and sands,
Referencing a journey through different types of environments and landscapes.
across the skies, through the morning snow
Continuing to move forward and push through challenges, despite the difficult conditions and circumstances.
is there no direction home?
Pondering whether true purpose and direction can ever be found in life.
nowhere left to go?
Repeating the earlier sentiment and emphasizing the sense of being stuck and unable to move forward.
no direction home
Repeating the core theme of the song, highlighting the ongoing struggle to find one's place and purpose in the world.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andrew Hargreaves, John Bramwell, Peter Jobson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind