There are albums that follow a clearly defined path and then those that meander down various avenues and then there is Don’t Forget Who You Are by Miles Kane. To say it dips its toe into a number of different bodies of water is an understatement.
Let the bold glam wash over you, the chugging rockers kick you in the backside and the lock step sixties lo-fi seep into your consciousness. It’s all good fun and a serious moment is not to be found. It’s the kind of album you want to crank up when the workday is over and your mind needs no further games of challenge.
Not letting intellectualism interfere with simple word play has the effect of making the songs insanely easy to sing along to. The production also leaves everything on the table and the instrumentation is direct and to the point.
Courting favour with snooty critics was not on the agenda and the album’s simplicity might limit its appeal to that camp but open it up for the rest. If there is a statement to be found, it’s don’t sweat the details, just get lost in the moment.
Rob Hudson
www.mileskane.com
