Bjorn Teo
A Somalia-Canadian rapper and a Japanese Funk Carioca emcee. These were the ingredients chosen to create the perfect little EP.
Ok powerpuff girls references aside, these inter-cultural additions proved to be a success as they managed to create a new image for Keane and yet retain their trademark sound at the same time.
Out of the 8 tracks in this album, which debuted at a respectable #1 on the UK albums chart, 2 tracks featured Somalia-Canadian singer/rapper/musician K’naan, and 1 track featured Funk Carioca emcee and musician Tigarah. Pretty obvious what Keane’s doing trying to do here, and it’s paid off.
The first single off this album, “Stop For A Minute”, is a soothing number with upbeat piano chords until K’naan comes in. His rhythmic rapping, coupled with honest lyrics:
“So I guess I’m just a fiend consumed by the scene, the stage and the screens, where it’s just me and Keane”, goes well with the piano rock melody that Keane is so well known for.
K’naan’s unique Bob Marley-meets-hip-hop style surprisingly goes well with the second collaboration. “Looking Back”starts with a familiar tune, if you think the theme music for Rocky. The catchy tune is enhanced, once again, by the soulful rapping of the Somalia-born rapper. You can almost feel him crying out as he raps out heartfelt lyrics with a repetition that hides a fluctuation of emotions. Both collaborations prove that melodic piano rock can, indeed, be combined with sincere rapping.
The collaboration with Tigarah is another interesting choice. Her name means “girl like a tiger” in Japanese, and while she is not that big in Singapore, she’s a growing icon in Japan and USA. Her music blends in grime, crunk, and Baltimore Punk. Certainly an odd mix when compared to Keane’s style of piano rock and alternative rock. However, paysayers have to admit they were mistaken as Tigarah and Keane produce a lovely track to show the world that even the quirkiest of genre combinations can yield a beautiful sound.
“Ishin Denshin” (You’ve got to help yourself) marries Tim’s vocals, experimental instrumentals, and Tigarah’s surreal voice, giving birth to a wonderful song with both English and Japanese lyrics. The light and catchy tune nicely backs up her vocals and together with Tom Chaplin’s voice for the chorus, a somewhat cute and happy melody comes out. The song makes you feel like you’re riding a carousel, spinning round and round as the repeating melody mimics the repetitive view you see while turning around.
Lest you think the success of the album solely relies on featured artistes aside, another notable song is Your Love. Tim Rice-Oxley replaces Tom Chaplin as the lead singer for this song, showing off his equally clear and powerful vocals. The experimental sounds in this track should not be missed, as the instruments come together to create a soundscape as surreal as a Sslvador Dali painting, as if you were in a dream. The song does get slightly monotonous after the 3-minute mark, but it doesn’t fail to establish Tim as an equally talented vocalist compared to his fellow lead singer.
Diverse, fun, and experimental. These are some words that best describe this album in its entirety. Night Train is an album that attempts to break down cultural and stylistic barriers, in order to create a new sound that you can listen to while still being reminded of the signature sound of Keane. As Adam Tudhope, the band’s manager, puts it in an interview, Night Train “may be a mix of styles and genres of music, but it’s full of the hallmarks that make Keane…”
The Urban Wire gives Night Train a rating of 3.5/5.
Released: 10 May 2010
Recorded: April 2009
Genre: Alternative Rock
Length: 31:24
Tracklist:
- “House Lights” – 1:23
- “Back in Time” – 3:52
- “Stop for a Minute” (feat K’naan) – 4:06
- “Clear Skies” – 4:53
- “Ishin Denshin (You’ve Got to Help Yourself)” (feat Tigarah) – 3:56
- “Your Love” – 4:36
- “Looking Back” (feat K’naan) – 3:46
- “My Shadow” – 4:49