Customer Reviews

Keats

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Keats was an early-80's band produced by Alan Parsons, and featuring most of the musicians from the Alan Parsons Project albums. The band consisted of long-time Parsons cohorts Ian Bairnson (guitar), Stuart Elliott (drums), David Paton (bass, vocals), and Colin Blunstone (lead vocals). The line-up was completed by keyboardist Pete Bardens, renowned for his fine work with Camel and Van Morrison. The songwriting duties were split between Bairnson, Elliott, Blunstone, and Bardens. Most of the music is in a direction similar to some of Alan Parsons more pop-oriented tracks, so don't expect a lot of orchestrations and "prog" bombast. But hey, don't worry, this is very good "pop" music, cleverly arranged and well-produced by Parsons. Blunstone's unique vocals add much to the album, and the memorable tune "Tragedy" alone is worth the price of this disc, in fact it might have been a major hit had it appeared on one of Parsons' namesake albums! If you are a fan of any (or all) of the musicians this album, then this one is for your collection.

Colin Blunstone has always been one of my favorite singers and he doesn't disappoint me here. Even though some of the songs sound like they are trying to manufacture a top 10 hit (along the same lines as Asia or Journey), just the fact that these people are comsumate professionals lets me get past that. I was really glad I found this gem. It is a favorite of my collection right now.

As the title might suggest, Ive been an APP fan for quite a while now, almost 15 years, though for whatever reason Keats had escaped my attention until just a few months ago. This APP spin-off band produced I believe only this album, bearing the same name as the group, but it was a memorable effort to say the least. AP-Project stalwarts Ian Bairnson, Colin Blunstone, David Paton and Stuart Elliott teamed up for a collection of 80s pop-style tunes very reminiscent of the sound on APP albums Ammonia Avenue and Vulture Culture. Eric Woolfson had, as I understand it, little to no creative input on the album, and Andrew Powell wasnt anywhere near it, so the symphonic orchestral sections APP fans are used to are also absent. Most of the songs have the distinctive synths/guitars sound so often associated with 1980s pop (APP fans: think "Prime Time", "Dont Answer Me", "The Traveller"), and as a child of the decade, I loved this album immediately =). The album is chock full of clever, catchy melodies that make you feel like you just turned back the clock 20 years, with songs like "Heaven Knows", "Walking on Ice", and clear-cut triumphs "Turn Your Heart Around" and "Fight To Win". Just TRY listening to either song and not have it stick in your head for hours!

This album would have certainly had more chart-busters had the band been more well-known. There were a few disappointments, "How Can You Walk Away" comes across as goofy and almost annoying, and I do miss the Woolfson/Powell orchestral element. Still this album comes in at a solid 4 stars and as a permanent addition to my collection. Fellow Projectologists - *definitely* worth a look-see!

I like both Camel, Alan Parsons Project and some of Colin Blunstone's albums, but this sounds too much like guys trying to write a pop hit even if they are slightly out of touch with current music. The same thing happened to Camel when they tried to please the record company with The Single Factor (the title gives more than a hint).

If you like the slower, more textured or more adventurous stuff you'll find very little here. I hear a bunch of guys trying to sound like a band, but lacking real chemistry.

Having said that, these guys are too good to make an album without some strong moments. But there is a reason this album doesn't get mentioned more - neither by the musicians nor their fans.

One of the finest CD's ever produced. Keats' sound is a totally dream-like,mystical-surreal sound. Their songs , if you like Alan Parsons, will find you to be a devotee of this CD. "Here Comes the Avalanche" adds to a theme to this disk. Listening to this song,one cannot get enough of their unique sound.

I've been an Alan Parsons fan since high school in the mid-1980's and have continued following his independent works up through the new century. Two albums that I recently picked up that, though not labeled a "Parsons Project," had strong ties with him: Eric Woolfson's "Freudiana" and "Keats."

Keats was the name of a band that, with Alan Parsons support and production, spun off of the project. Basically, it was Parson's studio musicians - Ian Bairnson: guitars, David Paton: bass, Stuart Elliott: drums - with Colin Blunstone on vocals and Pete Bardens on keys. The self-titled album is not anything exciting, but not something I'd part with either. It really sounds like the Project's "Ammonia Avenue" without the orchestration and instrumentals. There are a few solid tracks, but nothing that really catches the ear and says "Listen to me again."

Probably the most interesting track is the sixteen minute interview with Alan Parsons and Ian Bairnson in making the album. If you're a collector, this is one you'll not want to live without; otherwise, stick with "Turn of a Friendly Card" "Eye in the Sky" - those are the most definitive of Parson's output.

I had the original Keats cassette back in the early 80s. After replacing the cassette with the CD, I notice that one song had been replaced with "Hollywood Heart." I can't remember the name right now of the song that was replaced, but this CD is definitely not the "original" lineup of songs with "Hollywood Heart" included. Gosh, I wish I could remember the name of the song that "Hollywood Heart" replaced. Anyway, if you never bought the original, you'll never know any differently. Anyway, I love anything that Alan Parsons produces, not to mention his own album. You might want to buy this album because it may go out of print soon!

Just one fantastic album that ranks right up there with any of the best APP albums. Turn Your Heart Around could have easily been a soundtrack for an action movie. Avalanche is a moving and melodic masterpiece. Tragedy is a frantic piece aptly named that conjures up images of desperation and then suddenly breaks into a tasty and mellow guitar solo before returning to mayhem. How Can You Walk Away sounds like the typical Parsons "airplay sound" with it's moving beat and signature riffs. Overall, an awesome album which I stumbled upon several years after its release. I'm glad I did as it is probably among my top 25 albums of all time.

"Keats" was released years ago...in 1984. This was the only album released under this group name, and I bought it the old days primarily because the band members were also involved in the "Alan Parsons Project" (APP) at one time or another.

Members of Keats included: Colin Blunstone, Ian Bairnson, David Paton, Stuart Elliott, and Pete Bardens.

APP fans will recognize these names as regulars on APP albums. For those of you who may not know much about APP, there were a few core people behind the APP effort, and other musicians were recruited to come on board as needed.

"Keats" was apparently an effort designed to provide some of the APP musicians their own musical outlet, but, alas, the band "Keats" released only this album.

I am happy to see this album now available via MP3 download - which I purchased and listened to again today. It's treat to hear them again!

If you are familiar with APP music, but not Keats', what you will find is that the music of Keats is a blend of the sound of APP's "Stereotomy" and "Vulture Culture."

For those of you not familiar with APP, you may sense a strand of Pink Floyd combined with 10cc and perhaps other late 70s and early 80s sounds.

This album is probably in highest demand by a rather eclectic group of long-time APP fans. And as 30+ year APP fan I give this music 4 stars, but for most listeners, they'd probably have about a 3 star experience with it.

For me this is a standardwork what can't be missed in the collection of Symphonic & Melodic Rock lovers. I have the original vinyl version but this LP was becoming in a bad state so digital replacement was necessary.