18/10/10:

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.

06/09/10:

This week sees the arrival of Irish crooners The Script’s second studio album, ‘Science and Faith’. Renowned for often showing their soft side and not adverse to a soppy ballad or two, I take a listen to see whether their latest offering is as different as lead singer Danny O’Donoghue has hyped it up to be. Also earlier this week, skinny jean and vest wearing Kings of Leon premiered their new tune ‘Radioactive’ online, to be released from their fifth album to date; ‘Come Around Sundown’ – due to reach our eardrums in October.

As always, without further ado...

The Script – Science and Faith:

Although not necessarily a band that grace the ‘most played’ section of my iTunes, I have a certain amount of respect for The Script, a band who came as a pleasant surprise during the Isle of Wight Festival one year. Despite producing a set crammed with endless tales of unrequited love and yearning for ‘The One’, their undoubted passion, (and not to mention good looks), filled the stage more than adequately; leaving me wondering how three Irish songsters could make such noise.

The first two tracks on the album, ‘You Won’t Feel a Thing’ and latest single ‘For the First Time’ are no different from their previous self entitled debut - strident, painstakingly honest ballads. O’Donoghue does something I feel most bands and artists don’t do, which is telling a story. And there’s most definitely a story to tell throughout both tracks. Reflecting the current climate that most are experiencing, in both the boy’s hometown and the UK alike, there’s talk of ‘... these times are hard, they’re making us crazy’. However, in the style of a true Dublin man, love seems to conquer all, insisting ‘...everything is going to be OK.’

With such a positive and somewhat inspirational start, (to those of us with doe eyes and big hearts), it then comes as a shock that the rest of the album should be so melancholy. The gloom begins on track three, ‘Nothing’, recalling a drunken apology which ends in tears. Then comes title track ‘Science & Faith’, formed from an interesting concept, (does love spawn through nature or nurture?!), but unfortunately lacking in much else.

O’Donahugue then dips his toe into the tricky pool that is rap – an honorary attempt maybe, but not quite Eminem. In fact, it’s quite uncomfortable to listen to. The theme continues throughout the rest of the album, coming to a stop only before last track ‘Exit Wounds’. Charming us with an acoustic start - although it’s slightly disappointing when the band’s trademark heavy instrumentals kick in; it’s more than fitting as a close to the album.

Overall it’s a fairly average album, with only a few tracks grabbing my attention. However, I have to hand it to them; they can still make that noise and ooze with the passion that made me sit up and listen in the first place. Let’s just hope their next album is a rather more cheerful one, eh?

Here is single, ‘For the First Time’:

Kings of Leon - Radioactive:

The majority of Kings of Leon fans, (including myself), often talk of their preference for the Followill's older works. 'Aha Shake Heartbreak' and 'Because of the Times' therefore firmly remain at the forefront of my CD collection. Despite these preferences, third album 'Only by the Night' wasn't unbearable - in fact, it gave birth to a new legion of fans, fans that never grew tiresome of howling 2008's hit 'Sex on Fire'. It was then a debate was formed - did Kings of Leon 'sell out'? With new track 'Radioactive' acting as catalyst to reignite the said debate, I was eager to see what I'd make of it.

At first listen, it's definately closer to their old works than it is their new, which is no surprise seeing as it's a track that has been knocking around since 2004. Rather than an anthem of sorts, like 'Use Somebody' or the aforementioned 'Sex on Fire', it's respective of the band's childhood roots. It's when you listen to the lyrics; '... just drink the water, where you came from', that you appreciate the gospel and spiritual influences that its teeming with, allowing you to realise just how much the track means to the brothers, (and cousin). It's with this squeaky clean image the boys admit that when their Grandma first heard the track, she insisted they'd not go to hell - or at least not as fast.

Overall, it's most definately a grower, and although I'd love the band to revert back to their Dixie-style rock'n'roll days, it looks as though I'll have to make do. With their next album due out on October 18th, perhaps I'll be able to make a more informed decision as to whether 'Come Around Sundown' will put a stop to the rumours of 'selling out' and instead remind me why I fell in love with Kings of Leon in the first place.

And here it is, 'Radioactive':