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Product Description
Review
Most musicians are shameless show offs. What other kind of folk would be happy to bear their slipshod souls, open up about their obsessions and let the whole world know of their fondness for internal rhyming structures? Not to mention prancing about on stage in Topman’s finest and singing in public, in front of other human beings. Your average Joe or everyday Josephine would, quite rightly, find all of the above utterly terrifying. Which is why 23-year-old Keaton Henson is such a curious case.
Suffering from such awful stage fright that no proper gigs are happening anytime soon, Henson is unlikely to become the next Bono. And thank goodness for that. His 10-track debut album was recorded in his bedroom, which, we are told, is somewhere in the unglamorous outskirts of London, under Heathrow’s equally razzle-dazzle-free flight path.
A crafter of small music and slow sounds, his songs creep up on you – they don’t shout for your attention, but whisper for it. With his fireplace fingerpicking and fragile voice, at times you want to give him a great big hug and a mug of warm cocoa livened with a nip of confidence-boosting brandy. As an introduction to Keaton Henson, Dear… is the very definition of intimate.
His breakthrough track, You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are, takes the traditional singer-songwriter template, strips it back and layers the bearded Henson’s coy countertenor with an emotional gut-punch similar to that of Bon Iver’s first album, the break-up woodsman blues of For Emma, Forever Ago. Addressed to a former girlfriend, he finishes with the plaintive call of "does his love make your head spin," repeating it as guitar strings throb and Henson’s heart breaks all over again. It would almost be too much to bear, were it not for the soft melody dragging you deeper into his spellbinding sorrow.
Happily, Dear… isn’t all despair and despondency – though be warned, it mostly is. Sarah Minor is a gentle surmising of unreserved adoration despite a person’s faults. "And though your skin’s sheet white and your arms carry scars / Your hair isn’t clean much, your lungs black with tar," he lists, with a demonstrative tremble. Keaton Henson isn’t a show off, but with talent like this, he has every right to be.
--Leonie Cooper
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Syriat
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
There aren't many pieces of music which make me sit up and take notice these days. Not instantly. But the hairs on the back of my neck raised when I heard You Don't Know How Lucky You Are. Its the sound of one man making music with his guitar and laying his heart on the line. Intense is an understatement. It is reminiscent of Josh T Pearson's efforts last year (except I prefer this). Sure its not happy - even Party Song song is downbeat. But it contains enough moments of brilliance to win you over. You keep coming back and whilst it may be a bit too much to listen to all the time (its dark), it really is rewarding, intimate and full of passion. So far removed from the Pop music of X-Factor and all the better for it.
This is an album for stereo's (the bass and space of it works with speakers). This is an album for headphones (the intimacy demands such a device to conduct the heartfelt moments intimately). This is an album which lingers (the keening voice and haunting melody will stay long beyond the last note). This is an album that deserves to be heard.
This is an album for stereo's (the bass and space of it works with speakers). This is an album for headphones (the intimacy demands such a device to conduct the heartfelt moments intimately). This is an album which lingers (the keening voice and haunting melody will stay long beyond the last note). This is an album that deserves to be heard.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By H. Adams
Format:Audio CD
Heard the song called Sarah Minor today on Radio 2 and it had one of those rare effects of stopping me in my tracks.Its a wonderful harmony between lyrics, his voice and guitar..a very haunting combination. Im not sure how many tracks are on the album but I have discovered at least 4 other tracks(Oliver Dalston Browning, Nest, and Party song) via You Tube and Keaton's own website which are all of a similar ilk.
I have a feeling that today Keaton's debut album has just been launched into a the public stratosphere with no doubt success to follow. Well done Keaton- you are a talented artist.
I have a feeling that today Keaton's debut album has just been launched into a the public stratosphere with no doubt success to follow. Well done Keaton- you are a talented artist.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Do you find Nick Drake's album Pink Moon a bit too upbeat and macho? Then this is the artist for you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Stealth
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album is fantastic; I've not stopped listening to it for the last two months. There aren't many albums that get my attention straight away but this one sure did. I love every song on the disc but my highlights are Sarah Minor, Oliver Dalston Browning, small hands and flesh and bone.
Sure, it's certainly far from up-beat album and won't be to everybody's taste but well worth a listen.
Sure, it's certainly far from up-beat album and won't be to everybody's taste but well worth a listen.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By James
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Such a good album, very emotional.
I gave it as a present to my ex, as we both loved his songs, and we both enjoyed listening to it together once again, on different terms.
I gave it as a present to my ex, as we both loved his songs, and we both enjoyed listening to it together once again, on different terms.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Moops
Format:Audio CD
One of my best buys of 2012, I truely adore it, such a stunning album, Keaton Henson has such a beautiful voice and the lyrics to all his songs have such meaning, well worth a buy!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A beautiful album with feeling behind the words, Keaton Henson gives the album a few twists but as his first it's lovely :)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Poppin'Candy
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Don't be put off by people saying that it's reminiscent of Damien Rice. It's not. So individual and haunghting... This guy I happened to find by accident and I am glad I did.
This album is a lovely.
If you care to imagine... him alone in a room just singing to himself because I can't imagine that this guy does many public appearances - I may be wrong.
OK, his sound, if anyone he reminds me a little of Jeff Buckley in parts but still unique. The album...there is not one bad track on this and is a repeat player... you won't get bored.
The album itself does manage to envigorate images... not many can do that whilst playing in the background. I want people to buy this. It is special. It is a beauty. It really is worth it.
This album is a lovely.
If you care to imagine... him alone in a room just singing to himself because I can't imagine that this guy does many public appearances - I may be wrong.
OK, his sound, if anyone he reminds me a little of Jeff Buckley in parts but still unique. The album...there is not one bad track on this and is a repeat player... you won't get bored.
The album itself does manage to envigorate images... not many can do that whilst playing in the background. I want people to buy this. It is special. It is a beauty. It really is worth it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Henson amazing
This record is amazing. Just saved my life. This is where Keaton shows how whith simplicity you can show hard feelings. Just amazing.
Published 1 month ago by Miguel Garcia F. Dias
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top
Amazingly heartfelt. It's beautiful and tragic. Probably avoid if feeling sad. Lyrics are great, as are the vocals. Should buy.
Published 2 months ago by Ben OW
5.0 out of 5 stars
A passionate ode to good music
One early morning where sleep had failed to close my eyes; I did happen upon this album, ok so it isn't a feel good happy bunch of songs; but you can tell from the album is sung... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Napalm_trickster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, Resonating
An album full of gorgeous soft guitar melodies and fragile vocals that resonate the soul. Its true that Keaton Henson is reminiscent of a few other artists out there; Nick Drake,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dactik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
A beautiful, heartfelt album. I hope Keaton's next album released in 2013 will be just as good. A great new find.
Published 5 months ago by Rebecca
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful
Suggested to me by my daughter, I have found this a lovely, intelligent and very listenable CD. Yes it may be a little derivative of other performers (that may be more to do with... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Chris
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