Since their resurrection in 2005, dEUS has enjoyed a great reputation. In their own Belgium, but also in the Netherlands, where every pop venue and festival kills for a performance by the alternative rockers. In that sense they are a bit like the of the Low Countries. While the comparison is musically unreliable, the large-scale shows and the strict division between fans and haters are comparable.
And of course the role of the iconic frontman. Tom Barman is only 39, but radiates double life experience and thus (unconsciously) demands all the attention for himself. Perhaps it says enough that besides Barman only Klaas Janzoons (violin, keyboards) can be heard on all six dEUS albums. It is mainly Barman's party, even though the singer is proud that this album was written with the entire band. That's more fun than doing it on your own. And Keep You Close does indeed contain some lighthearted fun songs. For the rest, many serious, in-depth tracks on which Barman can muse about life. For example, dEUS extends their status with Keep You Close. (JE)more
