Get Your Fix: Album Reviews by the CoolJunkie Staff

September 25, 2008 4:49 PM
by The CoolJunkie Staff

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
by: Marcos Colón

It was only in 2003 when Kings of Leon released their debut album, Youth and Young Manhood. Who would of known that five years later the alt-rock quartet would churn out their highly anticipated fourth effort, Only by the Night. Since their first album the Followill’s haven’t really gotten the deserved attention from the States, merely filling up halls that pack in 5,000, rather than the meteoric success that they’ve garnered across the pond, headlining major festivals in the U.K. and Spain. On this new release, it seems like the boys are trying to get the same response from the U.S.

Their signature style is back yet again, soaring riffs, steady and hypnotizing rhythms and Caleb’s signature howl, á la Allman Brothers. After a rough listen through each track, at first it seems like the Kings didn’t put as much balls into this album, having the single, Sex On Fire, be the sole track that gets the blood pumping with its faster tempo and catchy ass chorus. Not that the album isn’t good, just lacks a little more of the fire that you get from Aha Shake Heartbreak and Because of the Times. Although the first two albums seemed to have been produced in a way to have the boys kick down the door and introduce themselves, their sound seems to be going in a direction, which is more arena friendly. Adding a bit of keyboards into the mix, as well as featuring consistent fuzzy bass riffs, the sounds is definitely getting sharper, but still leaves the listener wanting more.

When they kicked things up in 2003 they were quickly labeled “Lynyrd Strokes,” because of their throwback style and alt-country sound. The sound is steadily getting better, as well as their live performances. It’s only a matter of time before their filling up arenas. But that also means more radio play, which is a scary thought since most of what’s on the FM seems like cookie cutter rock. Let’s all hope they get their respect, but stick to the smaller performance halls. For now, Only by the Night is a sure by to stack up by the other three.

Click here to hear more from Kings of Leon.

Danny Howell's - Renaissance - The Mix Collection
by: Michael Maryanoff

Go to the dance music section in any record store and you’ll find a myriad of bright pink cases adorned with photos of airbrushed models. Inside, you will most likely find loads of cheese-filled up-tempo big-room vocal tracks. All of those CDs make it easy to forget about the deeper side of house music. And not the vocal-laden kind with unprecedented amounts of bongos, but music that goes great with an after-dinner cocktail and a Mediterranean sunset.

While Danny Howells is most definitely a versatile DJ, he does not use this album to showcase the full spectrum of his track selection talents. Howells instead opts to showcase the tracks in his crate you’d expect to hear before one in the morning.

Don’t take this as a bad thing though, even though the music is very subdued it is far from bland. It’s easy to throw together some toned-down tracks and induce yawns 10 minutes into it. But Howells puts his penchant for programming to use, throwing in some delightfully deep and engaging tracks such as Pulshar’s Nospheratu. Disc one consists mostly of deep house, where the second disc is full of the deep side of progressive house, with slow rising build-ups, on such tracks as Robert Babicz’s Dark Flower and Zwo!’s Flavor.

Sometimes dance music is at its best when it isn’t specifically designed for dancing. This album is enjoyable throughout, but some might find it to be a bit too down-tempo for their enjoyment.

Click here to hear more from Danny Howells.

TV On The Radio - Dear Science
by: Marcos Colón

When it comes to experimental rock, Brooklyn’s own TV On The Radio does it like no one else. After getting everyone’s attention with their 2006 junior effort, Return to Cookie Mountain, the Williamsburg quintet have been busy with seemingly endless tour. It’s insane that they found the time to put together a solid effort that comes in the form of 11 tracks on their new release, Dear Science. When it comes to the ‘experimental’ term that’s always thrown into their description, this time the boys went out of their way when it comes to sounds, but there aren’t as many misses as you’d expect.

From beautifully orchestrated ballads like Family Tree, to the quirky backing vocals that drive the melody on Halfway Home, Dear Science comes across as the perfect balancing act between carefully approached production and a risk taking dive into a space odyssey. On tracks like DLZ and Red Dress there are some new elements at play that may surprise fans, but simultaneously please them as well, while tracks like Dancing Choose reintroduces everyone to what TV On The Radio does best, combine quick spitting verses that resonate while creating a wave of sounds that gets everyone to bust a move.

The release of Dear Science will get TV On The Radio the level of respect and attention that they haven’t garnered yet. This abundance of assorted sounds accompanied by Tunde Adebimpe’s lyrical musings will serve up a tasty treat to the ear of those who appreciate a contemporary sound. Warning! If you like songs to sound very similar to one another on an album, don’t listen to this. Just stick to FM radio. Otherwise, sit back, take a listen and enjoy.

Click here to hear more from TV On The Radio.