When You’re Real – John McKeown
Review by Max Wallis
When You’re Real is John McKeown’s ‘official’ debut album to be released in August 2010. In 2009 he released an unofficial debut album. I’m just as confused as the rest of you. It’s annoying to have to always have age mentioned, but it’s a valid point that McKeown, at forty-nine, is releasing the album at an age when most musicians are winding down their career.
He has a very soft smooth voice, incredibly rich and very seductive; however although his technical ability stands up to his younger counterparts, the later songs on the album fall short and leaves the record feeling flat. Accompanying him he has varying other instruments such as the banjo, tambourines and fiddles buit these are never used to their full potential.
From Treat You Like a Woman with its gorgeous duality and brass accompaniment, the love-letter Till the Towers Fall and the upbeat Candy Girl he maintains his momentum. The problem with the album is that he just isn’t as strong on the songs where he isn’t accompanied. His voice is rich enough, don’t get me wrong, but amongst the scene of Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling – with their roaring tunes, and ensembles there is a demand for more encompassing songs.
It’s a perfectly lovely album, very summery– it’s just not phenomenal or groundbreaking. It’s competent, it’s enjoyable and definitely should be commended – it just isn’t amazing. Part of me is glad that it isn’t a last hurrah – there’s plenty of tip top stuff here to keep McKeown in business. I just can’t help thinking that he would have showed his range and ability better with an EP.
