Kiethevez - Non-Binary [Album]

A Different Drum

September 30, 2009, 10:24 PM

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The bad thing about reviewing music is that you can't just pass it by with a quick "Well that was good / OK / rubbish". That's also the good thing about reviewing music - it forces you to go a bit further. That's been the case here. It was very hard to reach any early conclusion. It's healthy and stretching to be forced into yourself like that - I think. In practical terms, this means the album has been hanging round my stereo for weeks looking for some sort of conclusion.

Keithevez are not particularly well known to me. I've got a decent working knowledge of Scandinavian music, but only a passing reference to these. That's perhaps not surprising. Keithevez were big (in Sweden) back in the day, the late 90's. Back then, their synthpop appealed to Depeche Mode fans who maybe had a taste for the left field, the less than mainstream.

After success in Europe and releases in the US, the band were on / off for a while but then they just seemed to run out of steam. Or should I say that was it for putting product out there. The band were still writing in the background, and they themselves say they were finding their voice all over again. They were slowly getting the stuff recorded and mixed, culminating in a deal for what was to become the new album “Non-binary,” which has now been out for a couple of months. They used to be an unashamed electro-synth band, but the new record is “Non-binary” because they are no longer only using synths, having real instruments as well these days. Not that I'm suggesting synthesizers are 'imaginary,' but you know what I mean. I know this change of direction worried some older fans for a few minutes, although for a non synth-specialist, it is still in the same vein.

The record company describes this as gloomy. Brooding would be more my word. Music that would be a great accompaniment to quiet, rain soaked pavements. The sort of back-drop to the scene in the film where the events of the night are over, the dawn is way off and the cameras linger on monochrome lit glass tower blocks. Don Johnson is stirring in his bed. Music is needed. Send for Keithevez.

It's curious that these are a genuine 80s / 90s band and yet somehow it feels like a pastiche - it has the same connection as new Minis do to the original. Maybe that's the change of instrumentation causing that feeling of slight remove. The vocals of Jesper Palmqvist are smooth and competent. They play well, they can come and session anytime. The music is good but not great. I've really tried and can't find a stand-out track to highlight. Looking back over those opinions, I realise I've perfectly described mood music. I'm afraid that without something more in there, whether it's stronger melody or something else, then that's how it's going to remain. So maybe they've found their voice, but they still need to take it to some further place to raise it from the rest of the choir.

Can I listen to it in the car twice over? Sure, it's pleasant and sounds somehow comforting. Will it be staying on repeat on the iPod? Errr..... possibly not.

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