BIRTHDAYS

It is an honor of the highest order to be given the chance to share in another person's most private thoughts. In Keaton Henson's case, we are being shown his broken heart - what an honor!I have listened to this album over and over, and the intimacy doesn't diminish one little bit. He just keeps digging deeper into his pain and, in the most beautiful, painful music I have ever heard, he shows us the pieces of his heart.In the best of circumstances he is incredibly shy - almost incapacitated by it - yet he is willing to step out into the world, in order to share the beauty of his pain with us.While I am sorry he has suffered so in life, I am blessed to be witness to, and recipient of the resulting work of art his music is.If you get the chance, go to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert on You Tube and watch Keaton's show. It will both bless, and break your hearts.I must go now, I think I will listen to some more of this man's heart.

Thought this was supposed to come with a complimentary CD.I did not get one...

I could listen to this album all day long. Perfect for playing on a record player (you get a CD as well!). The album is so personal and the handwritten lyrics make you feel like you're sitting down with Keaton and drinking tea while he strums the guitar. Beautiful.

this album comes off understated at first and then really grows on you. it starts out quiet, then gets a bit louder in the middle, and then back to quiet by the end. wonderful consistency throughout though, each song feeding into the next. the minute it ends, i start it over again.

Found two tracks I really liked.

My absolute favorite vinyl I’ve bought so far. Amazing. Arrived on time and in perfect condition and I listen to it all the time.

Beautiful work and no damage when shipping

I enjoy all of Keaton's eclectic discography, but this album tops them all, so far as I'm concerned. As always, Keaton's work is incredibly vivid and evocative. I'd highly recommend this CD to anybody with an interest in Keaton Henson's music.

Keaton Henson's debut album, Dear, was a delicate heartfelt album of one man, his guitar and a lot of pain and care. This follow up is the sound of him expanding that sound slightly. Its almost like listening to a painfully shy man emerge, gain confidence and then retreat again. Like the man himself? Perhaps. But during this album that's the journey you will hear.Early on the sound is eerily similar to the first album. Electric Guitar, that voice and not much else on Teach Me and the beautiful 10AM, Gare Du Nord. In fact it comes as a total shock when listening to The Best Today that the delicate approach is enhanced by drums and more noise. It feels that the man himself wants to try and mix things up and Don't Swim follows this and does the job. Starting in the usual mode of vocal and guitar Henson then decides to throw in a loud and brash guitar and drums instrumental piece towards the end of the track. It sounds like something almost Post Rock like. Its a wonderful addition.Kronos then swaggers into view and could be on any rock album, snarling riffs and loud quiet approach this could be grunge music. Or maybe something Jeff Buckley, Elliott Smith or similar company would consider too brash for their albums when they were making them. The Beekeeper has Banjo, drums and keyboards and sounds a little like some Fleetwood Mac tracks in its composition and chorus - think mid 70's country influenced Fleetwood Mac here though. Gradually though the noise and mood recedes and whilst Sweetheart, What Have You Done To Us has a return to the more introspective approach before horns take over. The deluxe edition contains three extra tracks, two quite quiet and the rather fantastic If I Don't Have To which is another of the new approach numbers. These three extra tracks are as good as anything else here so I would definitely invest the bit extra if you can.As a second album this is a treat. Its definitely a step forward, a very interesting one too. There is an air of confidence and belief here. It will be interesting to see whether he retreats again or moves more towards the approach of drums and horns alongside his guitar. However, this is as good as the first album and I never thought I would say that.

This is a beautiful album of songs from the man who recently contributed some of the haunting and touching songs for 'In The Flesh', which if you haven't seen make sure you do soon! Keaton is a sensitive and economical song-writer, knowing when to play with a picking or a strumming style and the songs can be sparse or lush depending on the mood and tone of the songs. I especially love Teach Me, Lying to You and Don't swim for their breathtaking poignancy and their raw emotive power. There is no doubt that these songs are personal and experiential and they are all essentially 'break-up' or break-down? songs, so if you're looking for pop or power ballads or disco you might want to look elsewhere. But for powerful, sensitive and raw emotion with beautiful chords and melodies just put on 'You' and sink back into your chair, your bath or your angst and just lap up the enveloping mood of awesome loneliness and pain.

The music is beautiful but the pressing quality of the vinyl is extremely poor. My first copy had a visible pressing fault which caused a jump/regular click. The replacement copy equally had a crackle throughout, even after cleaning the record with an ultrasonic record cleaner the problem persisted. The music deserves better than this - I would suggest keep to a digital source and avoid the vinyl.

Beautiful

Everybodies tastes are different so I never see much point in reviewing music. All I can say for this is, give it a chance and it will work it's way in to your heart. A beautiful work full of raw emotion from a man very willing to bear his soul for his art.

If you like melancholy lyrics and melody then you will not be disappointed.Album reflects on human relationships at their most intricate.

Haunting and beautiful and he never fails to stir my dark soul

Arrived really quickly and in great quality. Love this album.

Beautiful music and lyrics.

Great album, he has a lovely unique voice.

I love it.

Loved birthdays if a little bit of a tortured soul but great voice x

Progressive of Dear, and we finally hear an angry Keaton in the track Kronos. My personal favourite is You, due to the line "if you must leave, leave as though fire burns under your feet", though all are lovely, softly sung and very emotive

I came across one of the songs on this album on YouTube and I enjoyed it so much I decided to buy the album. It didn't let me down! Track 3 especially was replayed many times.

very deep