Miles Kane - Come Closer - 21.02.2011

This week's single review comes from Miles Kane and here's what I thought:

Miles Kane? Oh yeah, he's the guy that was in the Last Shadow Puppets, the one stood just behind Alex Turner with the acoustic guitar. It's that kind of statement that has held Kane back from breaking out on his own ever since 2008's vastly successful 'The Age of the Understatement'. But now the newly solo Kane is ready to forge his own career in his own right. No-one's doubting the lyrical talent that Turner brought to their duo, but Kane's contribution is often underestimated and, as 'Come Closer' shows, the former Rascals man brought a lot to the album.

In a very Last Shadow Puppets-style with some more guitar licks, 'Come Closer' is a moody rocker with a thumping beat and bassline, a twisting riff and irrepressible 'woh, woh, woh, woh, ah, ah, ah, ah's' that make this track fantastic. There is a strong Beatley-Kinks vein that runs throughout, but this seductive number is addictive in its spirit and it is a talented piece of work, not bad for Alex Turner's backing singer. The good thing about his previous connections is that there should be more than a few Last Shadows fans that are attracted to this very appealing song.

The lack of acknowledgement given to Miles Kane is of course ridiculous. Turner often spoke about the contribution his long time friend made to the duo the pair formed, while the Rascals were once one of NME's Bands to Watch in the not-to-distant past (2008-ish). But unfortunately for Kane, the Rascals never really took off despite a decent album in 'Rascalize'. His work for the Last Shadow Puppets brought him back from the abyss however, and now with his solo career - so far heralded by this track and heavier rocker 'Inhaler' - is set to power through on its own merits.

Debut album 'Colour of the Trap' (complete with Noel Gallagher cameo) is set for an April 25th release and on the evidence so far, it would be well worth checking out. 'Come Closer' is an addictive song, very catchy and a great appetizer for the record. In an ideal world, it will see Kane finally spring free of the shadow of the, er, Last Shadow Puppets and make inroads into a music scene that needs his rock 'n' roll roots desperately. Worst case scenario, another blow to Kane's talented but desperately unlucky backstory. Hopefully, it's the former, not the latter.

And here is 'Come Closer' by Miles Kane. Enjoy.

NWR