Album Review: It’s Who You Love by Kieran Kane
Man, there’s something about Kieran Kane’s It’s Who You Love that just sticks to your soul like an old flannel shirt. Released back in ‘81 on Elektra Records, this album feels like a warm handshake from someone who’s lived a little too hard but still believes in love—real, messy, human love. It’s got rock grit, folk heart, world vibes, and country swagger all rolled into one. And let me tell you, it doesn’t try to be perfect, which is kinda why I love it.
The title track, “It’s Who You Love,” hits different. Like… really different. There’s no big explosion of sound or over-the-top production here—just Kane’s voice, raw and real, telling you what matters most. The melody sneaks up on you, simple yet full of weight, like those moments when life slows down and you realize who you’d run through fire for. You don’t forget lyrics like these because they’re not flashy; they’re true. By the second verse, I was already humming along as if I’d known the song my whole life. It's the kind of tune that makes you wanna call someone you care about, even if you haven’t talked in years.
Then there’s another gem (okay, fine, maybe more than two tracks stuck with me). Let’s talk about “Something Simple.” This one feels like sitting on a porch at sunset, watching the dust settle after a long day. The guitar work has this lazy groove to it, but the words cut deep. Kane talks about wanting less and meaning more, and damn, doesn’t that hit home? In a world obsessed with shiny things, he reminds us how beautiful the ordinary can be. Every time I hear it, I think about people I’ve lost touch with—the ones who mattered before life got complicated.
You know, listening to It’s Who You Love feels like finding an old photograph tucked inside a book. It’s faded around the edges, sure, but the memories are vivid. Maybe that’s why it didn’t blow up the charts back then—it wasn’t trying to compete with the flashy pop hits of the ‘80s. But now, decades later, it feels timeless. Like a letter written to the future, saying, “Hey, remember this?”
And honestly? If you ever find yourself stuck between loving someone deeply and questioning everything, give this album a spin. It won’t solve your problems, but it might remind you why they’re worth fighting for. Oh, and hey—if anyone knows where I can get a copy of this on vinyl, holler at me. My record player misses music like this.
