This week sees the release of King's of Leon's fifth studio album 'Come Around Sundown', a 13 track album which includes single 'Radioactive', a track I reviewed a good month or so ago, (scroll down the page to have a look). With the single front being a tad quiet this week, I look at NME favourite's Chapel Club and their critically acclaimed single 'All the Eastern Girls', released on the 10th October but rising in popularity since.
So, without further ado...
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown:
Having assembled a legion of loyal fans since emerging onto the music scene with their quirky Dixie-style rock’n’roll back in 2003, King’s of Leon have become the subject of an ongoing dispute following the release of 2008’s ‘Only by the Night’. The dispute being whether they’ve ‘sold out’ or not, swapping long hair and seedy venues for cropped cuts and stadiums. On the other hand, (like any band or artist aims to do), they could have simply evolved as a group, updating their style and attracting the volume of fans they undoubtedly deserve. Being a fan of King’s of Leon’s older stuff, the easiest thing would be to jump on the ‘sold out’ wagon. However, I’m also a fan of their newer offerings, appreciating their change in direction, (at least the majority of it). New album ‘Come around Sundown’ has therefore been very much anticipated and an album that as with ‘Only by the Night’, I embrace for what it is – a NEW album rather than a constant comparison to the likes of ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’ and ‘Youth and Young Manhood’. And as a whole, it’s got a fair bit to offer.
Opening track ‘The End’ is a big ballad, acting as a showcase for Caleb’s distinctive vocals, which laced with smooth guitar riffs, leaves no doubt that it’s a Followill creation. A heartfelt chorus of ‘... this could be the end’ is one which won’t leave your head in haste, much like the first track released from the album, ‘Radioactive’. Which with references to their childhood, subtly pays homage to their upbringing, showing that despite the obvious rumours, they’re all pretty grounded. It’s not a bad song either as it goes!
Third track ‘Pyro’ is lyrically one of the superior tracks on the album, with echoing drums acting as the perfect backdrop to Caleb’s trademark howls; ‘I don’t wanna be your cornerstone, I don’t wanna be holding on’. ‘Mary’ is also an ear pleaser, conjuring up visions of a 1950’s American prom night; ‘Oh, and we’ll dance like boyfriends in sheer delight’.
‘The Face’ and ‘The Immortals’ however make for a somewhat bland offering. With disturbingly similar sounding lyrics, it took a good few listens to realise I hadn’t picked up a dodgy version of the album, and that they were actually two different songs.
We’re then taken ‘Back down South’, a barn dance ballad finishing with a healthy dose of cheers and laughter. Next up is ‘Beach Side’, one of if not the personal favourite of tracks on the album. Slightly quirky with a good beat to it, it plants itself firmly in your head with ‘...even though you know its soul’ giving ‘...your sex is on fire’ a run for its money as far as a catchy hook goes.
The remainder of the album is average, although difficult to dismiss entirely. Simple tracks such as ‘Mi Amigo’ and ‘Birthday’ lead with sweetly simple lyrics; whereas ‘No Money’ and ‘Pony Up’ are slightly grittier but will perhaps grow with each listen.
As a whole, as mentioned before, it’s an album with a fair bit to offer. It’s not ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’, but then nor is it ‘Only by the Night’. It’s a comfortable go-between which aims to please all fans who, (quite sadly), have been divided into two ever clear groups. And when you put it like that, there’s not much more they can do. Is there? That said, whichever side you’ve taken, King’s of Leon still remain towards the top of their game, and ‘Come around Sundown’ reflects the fact.
As much as I’d love to show you ‘Beachside’ or ‘The End’, YouTube have done a fairly good job of removing most videos, so you’ll just have to make do with ‘Radioactive’ instead! Enjoy.
Chapel Club - All the Eastern Girls:
Chapel Club are a group who have been tipped for big things by the likes of Zane Lowe, Steve Harris and perhaps most significantly, NME. Having been asked to play the NME Emerge Radar Tour with The Joy Formidable and support from Flats and Wilder and later announcing their support slot on Two Door Cinema Club's European tour, it's blindingly obvious that this is just the beginning for the Indie rockers.
'All the Eastern Girls' is a track that like previous releases from the band has gained momentum since it's release, with several radio stations and DJ's claiming it to be the 'hottest' track out at the moment. And it's easy to appreciate why.
Where the words 'Indie/Alternative' usually conjure up an image of a handful of skinny jean clad lads, churning out fast paced guitar led tunes, Chapel Club are putting their own spin on it, deciding instead to slow things down a little. This approach is what gives the track that 'spark', with Lewis Bowman's vocals being one of it's most appealing factors. There may not be any A-Punk-esque 'Ay Ay Ay's but it still manages to plant itself firmly in your head - you'll find yourself singing along in no time.
And here it is, 'All the Eastern Girls'. Enjoy.
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