This EP come album at a short 8 songs opens with high score with symphonic pianos and harmonising vocals set the scene for this hopalong upbeat song, with an unusual stream of consciousness as he sings "bravo, encore all the ravers are still raving, game over high score so tie your name in a perfume scented centipede, we walk the same street at the same speed" a song which sets the pace but is by no means the best.
Next is single monsters under the bed, a quirky beach boys-esque song opened by computer like beeps and sweeping keyboard as if in a horror film. Tales of teenage boredom and insomnia as he sings in an almost reggae "my will to move or even use my brain is weathered by eternal english rain" as the chorus kicks in beautifully and poply singing "i spent 5 hours on the net last night avoidin' the monsters under my bed with square eyes" problems teens know too well.
Vampire casino slows the pace with a gentle song comparing a casino to a bloodsucking vampire draining the mans soul as "It was just two hours to go, Before the Vampire Casino, Took your hat, sat you down and sucked your blood" a great howling song with great lyrical comparisons
Half way through the album, comes Bold Street an imagery feast of a typical city street as "Bold Street's caked in its own vomit" and there's "Burberry check, curbside sex and police cars" however this is really a love song as a girl stands amongst all this, beautiful like a star, as he laments the childrens song twinkle twinkle, sumptous in this context.
In jumps A child lost in tesco a song like The police on drugs with tales of wandering streets looking for something he can't find "like a child lost in tesco" a quick paced, breathless song.
The dream like Vela soothes the listener back with soundscaping guitars and melodic and echoing harmonies. A textured and pleasant listen, as another highlight.
Madeleine further wraps you up in a blanket of sound with the tinkling of a piano leading us through another visual world where "You were dancing like a dying matador, Amongst an armada of four-by-fours" and ends with the chanting of "I knew we were leaving, yeah, we were leaving Me and Madeleine"
That could have ended the album nicely, however the song "I gotta find a girl whom my eyes shine for But my shoes run from" is probably more fitting as an upbeat but layered, harmonic treat about finding a challenging girl in a confusing world.
A great album and an original breath of fresh air in the over populated singer-songwriter crowd, as well as a maturity beyond his 21 years. Although to some the vocals maybe grate at times it is hard to deny he can hold a tune, this combined with a natural propensity to create catchy songs with very visual and quirky lyrics, make this a very promising debut.
8/10
Sunday 14 September 2008
Saturday 13 September 2008
The last shadow puppets-Age of the understatement
The last shadow puppets are a band formed by Alex Turner and Miles Kane, the former of arctic monkeys fame and the latter from the rascals. Formed due to Kane's previous band the little flames supporting the band and the pair hitting it off with distinctive vocals and similiarly biting lyrics. On stage their a smartly dressed, confident, mop haired pair resembling a young beatles.
Their aim is to dispel any ideas that side projects and supergroups dont work.
Title track and single Age of the understatement opens with a horror film tension screech before exploding into an array of pounding drums, rythmic guitars and strings. As the vocals come in its clear the pair compliment each other, as the similarities allow for an echoing effect and is ideal for harmonies. This song tells the story of a woman who treats males as plaything, though inspite of warning the teller enjoys the challenge of a girl who is "Subtle in her method of seduction, The twenty little tragedies begin". As the tension is cleverly built he pleads for her to "Kiss me properly and pull me apart" in a successful and growing opening track.
Standing next to me is an old fashioned busking style ballad, with further tales of temptation as a girl teases while her lover is standing next to him. A good 2nd single with a nice tempo and good harmonies and a personal favourite.
Next pounding drums and strings introduce calm like you, a sound like a gangster musical painting a dramatic mental picture of a damp dark street of a lover who speaks too soon "Oh, he was young, in the frost, No regard for the cost, Of saying his feelings, In the moment they were felt" again continuing the dark tense cinematic feel.
Kane's biting words compliment sharp guitars on 4th track seperate and ever deadly carries on the theme of love and its 7 deadly sins by snapping jealous lines about an ex's "handsome maverick" who "You don't talk about to keep me calm". The reason of which he sarcastically claims is "That he painted you a gushing sunset" a good bitter song about break-up which is high paced.
The chamber is a ballad which is more well placed for pacing reasons, slowing you down to shake you again after, than it is anything spectacular, solid though none the less.
Track 6 Only the truth tells stories of a temptress, as in age of the understatement, who is dangerous to even look at. Musically this song flows well, however it is lyrically that it captures the audience as she "She lifts up her glass, As if to bring down a mass" and with "Twist of a lime, It seems a bitter end". A picture is brilliantly painted of a character we all recognise, out of reach who has every man eating out of her hand, whilst musically it spirals to an end.
My mistakes were made for you appears to be a dramatized version of how Turner met his celeb girlfriend alexa chung in a 007 theme styled ballad. He talks of meeting a girl who has the enticing prospect of "innocence and arrogance" entwined, though their celebrity makes them "as solid as a rock, rolling down a hill, The fact is that it probably will, hit something, On the hazardous terrain". Its a beautiful song, and set to be the 3rd single.
The interestingly titled black plant is musically like an 80s drama theme tune and though pleasant and plodding nothing stands out enough for extended merit.
I don't like you anymore is a song thats self explanatary tale of grating habits and falling out of love. Turner laments quietly over atmospheric guitars before Kane comes in biting hateful lyrics on their subject as the pairing again compliment each other. An interesting song but not an easy listen as it ends in a frenzy.
You would be forgiven for mistaking next song, in my room, for a james bond song however it is average in comparison to early hits on the album.
The meeting place is a schmaltzy tune with lyrics of regret and pain in relationship-breakdown, but ultimately albeit occasionally veering toward cheesey it is a good well paced song, which would befit a romantic themetune.
Final track Time has come again ends what is almost a concept album on the various stages of love, with memories of the past lamented in a whistful, sad song. The storyteller tells of "Slowly walking down the steps, To where she would have been, If only they were seventeen" romanticising the past in a way fitting to end an album.
This album clearly shows ambition, with the youngsters tackling the charts with a style seldom heard there. The string arrangements, pounding drums and atmospheric guitars build certain songs such as the title track to epic proportions. It is the lyrics that the pair pen however that are something special, with a sharp wit and ability to carve stories. Several songs on this album are good however a few are only held up by the lyrics. For this reason along with occasional major lapses in originality is what makes this album as a whole only promising, however songs such as Age of the understatement, Standing next to me, Seperate & ever deadly and My mistakes were made for you are brilliantly arranged and promise a lot. A solid debut and grower, certainly not just a side project: 7.5/10
Their aim is to dispel any ideas that side projects and supergroups dont work.
Title track and single Age of the understatement opens with a horror film tension screech before exploding into an array of pounding drums, rythmic guitars and strings. As the vocals come in its clear the pair compliment each other, as the similarities allow for an echoing effect and is ideal for harmonies. This song tells the story of a woman who treats males as plaything, though inspite of warning the teller enjoys the challenge of a girl who is "Subtle in her method of seduction, The twenty little tragedies begin". As the tension is cleverly built he pleads for her to "Kiss me properly and pull me apart" in a successful and growing opening track.
Standing next to me is an old fashioned busking style ballad, with further tales of temptation as a girl teases while her lover is standing next to him. A good 2nd single with a nice tempo and good harmonies and a personal favourite.
Next pounding drums and strings introduce calm like you, a sound like a gangster musical painting a dramatic mental picture of a damp dark street of a lover who speaks too soon "Oh, he was young, in the frost, No regard for the cost, Of saying his feelings, In the moment they were felt" again continuing the dark tense cinematic feel.
Kane's biting words compliment sharp guitars on 4th track seperate and ever deadly carries on the theme of love and its 7 deadly sins by snapping jealous lines about an ex's "handsome maverick" who "You don't talk about to keep me calm". The reason of which he sarcastically claims is "That he painted you a gushing sunset" a good bitter song about break-up which is high paced.
The chamber is a ballad which is more well placed for pacing reasons, slowing you down to shake you again after, than it is anything spectacular, solid though none the less.
Track 6 Only the truth tells stories of a temptress, as in age of the understatement, who is dangerous to even look at. Musically this song flows well, however it is lyrically that it captures the audience as she "She lifts up her glass, As if to bring down a mass" and with "Twist of a lime, It seems a bitter end". A picture is brilliantly painted of a character we all recognise, out of reach who has every man eating out of her hand, whilst musically it spirals to an end.
My mistakes were made for you appears to be a dramatized version of how Turner met his celeb girlfriend alexa chung in a 007 theme styled ballad. He talks of meeting a girl who has the enticing prospect of "innocence and arrogance" entwined, though their celebrity makes them "as solid as a rock, rolling down a hill, The fact is that it probably will, hit something, On the hazardous terrain". Its a beautiful song, and set to be the 3rd single.
The interestingly titled black plant is musically like an 80s drama theme tune and though pleasant and plodding nothing stands out enough for extended merit.
I don't like you anymore is a song thats self explanatary tale of grating habits and falling out of love. Turner laments quietly over atmospheric guitars before Kane comes in biting hateful lyrics on their subject as the pairing again compliment each other. An interesting song but not an easy listen as it ends in a frenzy.
You would be forgiven for mistaking next song, in my room, for a james bond song however it is average in comparison to early hits on the album.
The meeting place is a schmaltzy tune with lyrics of regret and pain in relationship-breakdown, but ultimately albeit occasionally veering toward cheesey it is a good well paced song, which would befit a romantic themetune.
Final track Time has come again ends what is almost a concept album on the various stages of love, with memories of the past lamented in a whistful, sad song. The storyteller tells of "Slowly walking down the steps, To where she would have been, If only they were seventeen" romanticising the past in a way fitting to end an album.
This album clearly shows ambition, with the youngsters tackling the charts with a style seldom heard there. The string arrangements, pounding drums and atmospheric guitars build certain songs such as the title track to epic proportions. It is the lyrics that the pair pen however that are something special, with a sharp wit and ability to carve stories. Several songs on this album are good however a few are only held up by the lyrics. For this reason along with occasional major lapses in originality is what makes this album as a whole only promising, however songs such as Age of the understatement, Standing next to me, Seperate & ever deadly and My mistakes were made for you are brilliantly arranged and promise a lot. A solid debut and grower, certainly not just a side project: 7.5/10
Wednesday 10 September 2008
Kings of Leon-Only By The Night
Kings of leon are a band associated with having all the trimmings of a rock band, sex, drugs and some rock n roll chucked in. Musically their a band most noticeable by their raw unique sound typified by the vocals of Caleb Followhill. A band which was brought to us in 2003, with a scuzzy rock sound and rasping vocals not usually heard in the modern era. Youth and young manhood was exactly that, tales of sexual debauchery and nights out told in a way not recognisable since the likes of the rolling stones, bringing a debut to match such names. Aha shake heartbreak, the second album by the band saw them keep their rock sensibilities whilst venturing towards a more open, jangly style ultimately getting them noticed in the mainstream, introducing quieter songs such as milk and day old blues. Album 3 (because of the times) saw them expanding their sound after touring with the likes of bob dylan and U2 with a sound to echo round stadiums, still keeping a good balance with more raw songs such as charmer. After 3 succesful albums kings of leon are held in high regard by fans and critics alike, but can they keep up the pace with album 4?
Opening song closer anounces itself with landscaping echoes by a slow siren and thumping drums, becoming clear straight away that the kings want to expand their sound further and ultimately place themselves with the elite. As the drum beat pounds on caleb howls the lyrics "she took my heart, i think she took my soul" in a more sensitive vocal style than the rasping voice we've become accustomed to. Throughout the band are tight and build up an asmosphere with the incessant sirens and drums holding pace as the guitar echoes signitures over the top.
Crawl, the opening single in the USA and probable 2nd UK single, is a much scuzzier affair closer to songs showcased on because of the times. The song is commanding and strutting, with pounding drums and distorted guitars as the singer shouts "you better learn to crawl before i walk away" leading into howling guitars.
Opening song closer anounces itself with landscaping echoes by a slow siren and thumping drums, becoming clear straight away that the kings want to expand their sound further and ultimately place themselves with the elite. As the drum beat pounds on caleb howls the lyrics "she took my heart, i think she took my soul" in a more sensitive vocal style than the rasping voice we've become accustomed to. Throughout the band are tight and build up an asmosphere with the incessant sirens and drums holding pace as the guitar echoes signitures over the top.
Crawl, the opening single in the USA and probable 2nd UK single, is a much scuzzier affair closer to songs showcased on because of the times. The song is commanding and strutting, with pounding drums and distorted guitars as the singer shouts "you better learn to crawl before i walk away" leading into howling guitars.
The next song is the rousing sex on fire previously reviewed as a single, closer to classic kings of leon tracks such as Mollys Chambers and holds its own in such ranks.
Fourth track Use Somebody is a slow burner in the mold of on call, with "woah ohhs" over an unusually standard chord change for kings of leon, however the soulful vocals singing "Oh babeh i cud use somebody, somebody like you" make this track so good. The way the song builds up with a presence of pounding drums and a sub-chorus about 3/4 of the way through makr this an interesting track and potential single.
Manhattan is similar musically to a track such as Where Nobody Knows from the 2nd album, however this song is more ambitious with echoing U2 sounding guitar and further soulful singing howling the lyrics.
"What a night for a dance, you know im a dancing machine" opens a smooth song about a love shared but ruined by the singers lust for sex, which the girl isn't giving, eventually tearing apart their good relationship on track, Revelry. His pleads of "dreaming of revelry" offset by wailing guitars and more "wo ooh ooh's".
17 opens with clashing drums and unusual bells, as caleb shows us the side of his voice trained when younger at the choirs he attended as he hits the high notes singing "ooh she's only 17" with guitar riffs howling along building into a chorus oh harmonising oohs singing the praises of the girl "oh your 1 in a million" as it transpires as another potential single.
U2's stadium rock influence clearly comes in again on Notion with jangly guitars and a plodding bassline. I want you is another slow burning love-making song sweetly singing "I want you, exactly like i used to" with the band so tightnit that as on opener closer the guitars can wander off and back to great effect.
Pounding drums and swooping guitars open be somebody as caleb struts in "i loosen my tie, i loosen my tie" and "you cant get enough" before the tempo changes and caleb swoons "Given a chance, I'm gonna be somebody" all about him trying to get the girl by ripping up the dancefloor, appropriatelyanother potential single.
Cold desert ends the album with some lovely guitar playing as the album gently winds away.
This album follows on from 3 great albums, all packed with great, original and passionate songs. Only by the night does not dissappoint, although hardcore fans may need some time for it to grow. On the whole this album is ambitious and original, with tracks such as crawl and sex on fire satisfying fans of old as newbies use somebody 17 and be somebody seep into your brain. Technically the best of the four and musically placing them inside stadiums alongside greats where they belong. If they keep up this pace their place in history awaits.
9/10
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