Label: Star Trak
Release Date: 12/05/08
Rating:
For some reason, US artist Kenna has attracted a lot of attention about how difficult it is to catergorise his music, making him a marketing nightmare. Openly admitting U2 to being a huge influence, then recruiting Neptunes' Chad Hugo to produce both this album (his UK debut) and 2003's 'New Sacred Cow', the result is pretty much as you would expect.
'Make Sure They See My Face' is an album of two halves, and it's the first half that impresses the most, with five tracks of synthpop before it gets bogged down with MOR. 'Daylight' is an uplifting, lowkey electro number that is an accurate introduction to what this Ethiopian born singer is about. There's a grace to Kenna's lyrics and delivery that, while not particularly memorable or inspirational, gives him an edge of class. The energy is lifted with 'Out Of Control (State Of Emotion)', which suffers from overproduction (just too much random knob twiddling going on), stifling what is essentially a wonderful pop song. However, 'Say Goodbye To Love' gets it just right, and proves to be an album highlight, a swaggering bundle of hooks and beats. The tightly wound 'Loose Wires' lets Kenna transform into the club king he naturally is, asking isn't it electric in here" over the simplest yet most effective track here.
'Sun Red Sky Blue' comes in the middle of the album, marking the crossover between electro and MOR, but it does it in epic style. We see Kenna in romantic mood over a lush soundscape that could sound like cheese in the wrong hands, but his team keep it from being overblown and transform it into the definitive Kenna song. From here on, Kenna lets his soft rock tendencies come to the fore, which cripples the spririt of what makes him a potential superstar. 'Baptized In Blacklight' and 'Static' blend into each other, and the indistinction of Kenna's vocals is highlighted without the pop spark behind it. The rest of the LP may see Kenna in thoughtful mode, but it is this that has got him into a pickle. 'Make Sure They See My Face' is still a hugely enjoyable album, with enough treasures to make an impact. If Kenna ever finds himself wanting to settle in one style, you pray he wants to dance.
Becky Reed
Kenna Official Site
Kenna Myspace
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