Dark Storytelling Ensnares Listeners: Keyan Keihani’s Dark Saints, Exclusive First Listen
Sad Songs Keep the Devil Away
Posted On October 13, 2015
Keyan Keihani’s album “Dark Saints” is the songwriter’s second album since the record, Eastbound, was produced in 2013. Dark Saints is a powerful record that is driven by Keihani’s unique, no frills voice that is part-country, part folk, and most of all, sincere. His songs could be described as Ed Sheeran meets The Deep Dark Woods: lyrics that explore the sadness of a wayfaring traveler combined with Sheeran’s vocal concentration. The record provides listeners dark melodies about broken relationships, isolation, and loneliness.
Keihani’s tracks “Dark Country” and “Nashville” contain apology-laced ballads from a wanderer who leaves loved ones in his wake. In “Nashville,” perhaps the best track on the album, Keihani sings:
“Now the open road is callin’ and I’ve always had a passion for leaving. With my finger on the trigger and a quarter tank of gas, I might do it.”
Songs like “Highway” and “Don’t Owe You Anymore” speak to the sadness-turned-acceptance when a couple acknowledges a broken relationship. When writing “Highway” Keihani considered his parents, who divorced after 38 years of marriage. “The main theme is: let’s face it – this is over,” Keihani recalls about the song.
Keihani’s vocals overlay subtle acoustic guitar playing and a slow, expressive fiddle. The violin opening for “Nashville” and “Dark Country” set the record’s mood and pave the way for the Keihani’s storytelling.
“Dark Saints” is an album worth listening to from a talented songwriter. The record was recorded in Brooklyn, NYC in June 2015. Ladies and Gentlemen…Dark Saints:
(+words by Chris Dishman @altcbeyond+)
SSKTDA on Facebook | SSKTDA on Twitter | SSKTDA on Instagram
Check out Sad Songs Keep The Devil Away for more meanderings and travails
“We’re Country, Blues, and Punk as Folk — Dig Deeper, You Deserve It…”
sadsongskeepthedevilaway@gmail.com
