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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Close to Perfect., October 17, 2007
In 2003, a self-proclaimed music snob told me, "I may've just discovered one of the most unique artists on the planet." After listening to his copy of Kenna's first album, New Sacred Cow, I concurred. It has been 4 years since I was first entranced by Cow, yet its eclectic combination of styles, hypnotic melodies, and drastically different beats have yet to grow old. I have spent much of the last 4 years sleuthing for a mere hint of anything new from Kenna, and when Make Sure They See My Face was announced, I installed a drool pan next to my bed to solve the ensuing problem.
Yesterday was the release of Face, and, after a full day of being autistically preoccupied and accomplishing little to nothing at work, I raced to the local music shop to claim my long-awaited prize. As with any highly-anticipated new recording, I was slightly nervous as I inserted the cd and began my habitual I-just-bought-a-new-album-and-will-now-listen-to-it-start-to-finish-while-driving-aimlessly ritual.
The next 52 minutes and 48 seconds were nothing short of spectacular.
Songs came in waves, each one different than the previous, always moving, sometimes powerful, never dull. Like its predecessor, Face is a conglomeration of beats you've never heard. Multiple listens will, much like repeat exposures to Radiohead, Buckley, or any other modern-day Pop Rock Bach, reveal certain nuances which were previously overlooked. Yet, for all its depth, Face catches the listener right out of the box, and many fans-to-be will be hooked after but one song. Long time Kenna Freaks will hear more of the same, and by "same" I mean "completely different than anything else." There are certain features which separate Face from Cow, as Pharell Williams of the Neptunes takes the helm for production on a few tracks (Chad Hugo and Kenna steer the rest), but I suspect most fanatics will not be disappointed with the results.
In a rapidly changing music industry, it is becoming more difficult with each passing year to define the boundaries of genre, and Kenna's music is an exemplar of the indefinable. His sophomoric release, Make Sure They See My Face, is a fresh glance at a dangerously original artist's portfolio of trance-inducing works, and I submit it is one of the best releases of 2007.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Solace for My Spirit", November 18, 2007
"Make Sure They See My Face" is a mature, emotionally open CD beautifully produced by the Neptunes whose arrangements support, embolden and accentuate Kenna's intelligent lyrics.
"MSTSMF" begins with and sets the tone of this CD with "Daylight": the opening string chords gloriously unfolding into Kenna's plaintive vocal and pounding yet subtle drumming and stirring guitar licks: "...let the rush of the spirit find me." "The constant is Love...We want to see Life..."
"Sun Red/Sky Blue" is Kenna at his most emotional and spiritual: "Give me your sun red, sky blue I'm falling into You." He ends the song in a rapturous, wanton even letting go of his self over to a woman and to God by extension. In any event the conclusion of this song will give you goose bumps with it's naked, screaming almost...Kenna kneeling on the altar of Love begging for direction and acceptance.
"MSTSMF" is a terrific CD full of Love, full of Life, Full of Understanding. As such it stands as a testament to Kenna's artistry and dedication.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kenna - Make Sure They See My Face, October 15, 2007
The song that turned me on to Kenna was "Out Of Control" when I first heard it on a commercial for the Sony PSP quite a bit ago. I must admit I haven't given his first album a thourough enough listen to, so I can't compare it to this new one.
The reason I gave the album 5 stars is because of the uniqueness of Kenna's style. To me it's refreshing that his music can't be defined in one genre. I didn't know if the entire album would be quality (think: one hit wonder) but I was pretty impressed after listening to it through twice already.
"Out Of Control" is still one of my favorites, but I like "Sun Red, Sky Blue" a lot as well. Overall a solid album. I have a feeling it will be an under-rated sleeper.
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