DON'T FORGET WHO YOU ARE BY MILES KANE

DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE, the second album by Miles Kane, is a time machine of sorts.  It brings to mind the 1960’s in its production, the 70’s in its energy, and the 90’s in its traditional rock revivalism and Kane’s voice which is like some Britpop amalgamation especially brining to mind John Power of Cast.

Kane came to fame through abortive band projects and his work with more famous artists.  The highlight of his career so far has been the album he made with Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys as The Last Shadow Puppets THE AGE OF UNDERSTATEMENT which used as its model Scott Walker and big grand orchestral late 60’s pop.

That was a great record but Kanes’s first album was a bit of a letdown – decent songs but no energy and uninteresting arrangements.

However his second album is a success because it dives headfirst into fast familiar music. DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE zings along at just over 30 minutes with loud, well produced short snappy songs the product of songwriting collaborations with Andy Partridge and Paul Weller among others.  The Partridge collaboration in particular bears fruit as the two best songs (What Condition Am I In? and Better Than That) are ones he co-wrote.

This is a record it is easy to laugh at so unabashedly and gloriously retro is it but it does not let up jamming every spare space with great melodies and playing.  The aural equivalent of finding yourself in an old comfortable environment completely immersed into the happy feelings it brings.