I know there are times when I say it feels like no time at all has passed in between bands’ works, but that sentiment truly fits this time! It’s not even been a year an a half since Miles Kane’s last record, Change the Show, and we are already being treated to One Man Band.
This time around he’s recruited some family members to help craft the 11-track record, but it’s still a solo effort for Kane. It’s incredible to me how much different this sounds than Change the Show, but overall it still has that high energy to it. Almost like you’re bouncing on you’re toes ready to run at a moment’s notice. That’s a feeling fully evident in songs like the title track, “Troubled Son,” and “Never Taking Me Alive.” This energy is the Kane I grew familiar with in watching an overabundance of live The Last Shadow Puppets performances. They’re fun and get your feet moving, though none of those offerings stayed with me quite like another upbeat track, “The Wonder.” This song has a bit of a 70s feel to it and that chorus continues to stay stuck in my head.
The rest of the album takes a few twists and turns and don’t quite seem to gel together like you’d expect a record should. “Heal,” though not quite my cup of tea, certainly projected his emotions of longing onto me, so that’s a success in itself. “Baggio,” is a song of worship and praise for a person I know absolutely nothing about except for a brief mention in a Don Broco clip that came out while they were recording their last record. Evidently he’s a soccer player, so that’s one less point from me then. Oh well, I can’t knock the man for singing about an idol of his. The rest of the tracks are pleasant enough to listen to, but nothing quite sticks for me like the more punchy, fast-paced offerings.
Overall, Kane’s solo music is not something that I’m still really into, though I can appreciate all the artistry he’s put out over the years. It still feels like he hasn’t quite nailed down his schtick, which isn’t always a bad thing, though I think in his case it just makes for less than stellar output. All that being said, I would still love for him to try and tour the US on this one. Or better yet, I can wait until next year when we hopefully (doubtfully) get a new Shadow Puppets record. Hey, a girl can dream.