texas
Innocent Smile
Posts: 169
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Post by texas on Oct 3, 2010 5:56:54 GMT
I am not posting a download link, and none of you should either. I just think there should be a place for those who have the album to talk about it.
I posted my thoughts in another deleted thread earlier, but basically I like it a lot. It's not the exact direction that I wanted Kings to go, but this is where they wanted to go and they nailed it. Every song has a passion and intensity that OBTN can not match. The production values are taking a while to get used to, but it is my personal opinion that KOL is fucking tired of hearing that their live shows are too 'on point'. When they play any song off this album, it will not sound like the recorded version (unlike every other song they've put out) because they put a lot of thought into the mood and atmosphere into this album. The lyrics are presented in the same straightforward manner as Only By The Night, but Caleb sings them with more subtlety than on the last record. The only gripe I have with the album is that when CAS wants to really rock out, the production doesn't really let it (Mary, I'm looking at you).
Bottom line, this album is cooler than any album that has come out this year, and it has a surprising sophistication about it that makes me proud as a fan.
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Post by McFearlessMad on Oct 3, 2010 5:58:00 GMT
I agree tex, I totally agree.
I'll buy it legally, and so should everyone else!
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texas
Innocent Smile
Posts: 169
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Post by texas on Oct 3, 2010 6:03:11 GMT
iTunes charged my credit card already, so I don't really feel bad about listening to it early. And I'm DEFINITELY getting the vinyl, I feel like this is the most made-for-vinyl record Kings have put out to be honest.
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Post by steelersfreak1 on Oct 3, 2010 6:09:25 GMT
I was disliking the production at first, but its kinda grown on me. Mary still rocks it in my book, but having heard it live did kinda spoil it.
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heich
Runnin' Free
Posts: 292
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Post by heich on Oct 3, 2010 6:10:17 GMT
pickup truck is my favorite, i dont know if its the just the leaked version but Calebs voice sounds too loud in comparison to all the instruments, or maybe thats just the way thay wanted to be
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Post by benief on Oct 3, 2010 6:31:27 GMT
Haven't been on here in a while.. anyways... 11 Bottom line, this album is cooler than any album that has come out this year, and it has a surprising sophistication about it that makes me proud as a fan. You've really got to listen to more music, kid. The albums okay..i dont hate it, i dont love it my issue is it's far too mid-tempo and it quite simply drags on a bit which is a worry with a record that only lasts 3/4 of an hour but there are a few good tracks, notably The End, Beach Side and No Money Caleb sounds a bit bored and uninterested and his lyrics at times are nothing short of awful although in a few tracks he does sound like a certain Bruce Springsteen at the height of his powers. Nathan's also been dulled down a bit..usually i love his work, definitely less of a focus on him then in the previous albums. Matthew however, seems to be running the show... and putting forward some very interesting ideas and Jared's typically good.
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moose949
Runnin' Free
Break lights and city limits
Posts: 206
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Post by moose949 on Oct 3, 2010 6:41:17 GMT
I downloaded the album and gave it two or three good listens before promptly deleting it to avoid further temptation and so I could keep my promise of buying it on release day. The best thing to me about this album is that it's not anything "part 2" - it's its own album with no other previous material to compare it to, which is in my opinion the best thing that can be said about this record. When I first listened, I noticed a lot of the songs sounded similar (No Money sounds a little bit like a sped up version of The Immortals) and it put it me off. But after another couple of listens I realized that this similarity is actually a good thing because it unifies the album, unlike OBTN which to me sounded vary sporadic. When reading every single preview/early review of the album I got really sick of everyone saying KoL was "going back to their roots" mostly because I didn't even know what that meant. But after some listening I know exactly what it means - but you have to hear the album to actually know. I didn't listen to it enough times to be able to point out my favorites/least favorites because I still want the release day to be fun.
What I'm trying to say is, hopefully none of you will be disappointed by this album (except for the people who say they don't like what the band has become, but for them I don't understand why they're on a forum for a band that doesn't exist anymore) - it's one of their standout records to me (which isn't saying much because ALL of their records stand out to me)
Sorry for the long review, hope I didn't ruin anything for those who are waiting for the 19th!
Another note - I agree with people who say the lyrics are a bit straight forward, but I attribute that to Caleb ad-libbing the lyrics as opposed to thinking long and hard about what he's going to say. For this reason, I'm able to let it pass.
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heich
Runnin' Free
Posts: 292
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Post by heich on Oct 3, 2010 6:46:30 GMT
Haven't been on here in a while.. anyways... 11 Bottom line, this album is cooler than any album that has come out this year, and it has a surprising sophistication about it that makes me proud as a fan. You've really got to listen to more music, kid. The albums okay..i dont hate it, i dont love it my issue is it's far too mid-tempo and it quite simply drags on a bit which is a worry with a record that only lasts 3/4 of an hour but there are a few good tracks, notably The End, Beach Side and No Money Caleb sounds a bit bored and uninterested and his lyrics at times are nothing short of awful although in a few tracks he does sound like a certain Bruce Springsteen at the height of his powers. Nathan's also been dulled down a bit..usually i love his work, definitely less of a focus on him then in the previous albums. Matthew however, seems to be running the show... and putting forward some very interesting ideas and Jared's typically good. thats pretty much what i think about the album but i disagree on Beach Side, its awful, when i was listening to that one i swear i thought ive been listening to it for hours and it was just like 1 minute, and it lasts less than 3mins! to me this album i like four Revelrys, four 17s, and the rest are good track but not AMAZING ones
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texas
Innocent Smile
Posts: 169
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Post by texas on Oct 3, 2010 6:50:40 GMT
Haven't been on here in a while.. anyways... 11 Bottom line, this album is cooler than any album that has come out this year, and it has a surprising sophistication about it that makes me proud as a fan. You've really got to listen to more music, kid. The albums okay..i dont hate it, i dont love it my issue is it's far too mid-tempo and it quite simply drags on a bit which is a worry with a record that only lasts 3/4 of an hour but there are a few good tracks, notably The End, Beach Side and No Money Caleb sounds a bit bored and uninterested and his lyrics at times are nothing short of awful although in a few tracks he does sound like a certain Bruce Springsteen at the height of his powers. Nathan's also been dulled down a bit..usually i love his work, definitely less of a focus on him then in the previous albums. Matthew however, seems to be running the show... and putting forward some very interesting ideas and Jared's typically good. I listen to a lot of fucking music, and yes, this still stands out above anything I've heard this year. You can disagree with me but don't doubt my credibility and assume superiority for no reason.
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Post by benief on Oct 3, 2010 7:06:17 GMT
[/quote]I listen to a lot of fucking music, and yes, this still stands out above anything I've heard this year. You can disagree with me but don't doubt my credibility and assume superiority for no reason.[/quote]
settle down, chap..
but seriously.... i would be hard pressed to call an comprised almost entirely of rather dull mid-tempo ballads 'cool'
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Post by lostatsea on Oct 3, 2010 7:15:57 GMT
Listening to it now.... and I LOVE IT. it's fucking great. and i will of course be buying the cd and vinyl. I am a collector and one is not enough.
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texas
Innocent Smile
Posts: 169
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Post by texas on Oct 3, 2010 8:31:31 GMT
I listen to a lot of fucking music, and yes, this still stands out above anything I've heard this year. You can disagree with me but don't doubt my credibility and assume superiority for no reason.[/quote] settle down, chap.. but seriously.... i would be hard pressed to call an comprised almost entirely of rather dull mid-tempo ballads 'cool'[/quote] I just don't see why we couldn't just disagree without you calling me "kid" or questioning my taste in music without knowing anything about me. You have your opinion, and I can sure as hell respect it. I just expect you to respect mine, too. That being said, since when is mid-tempo a bad thing? Y&YM was pretty much all fast live-recorded songs but it doesn't mean that it is a rule for all KOL records to be that way. The pace of earlier KOL albums has given way to more nuance and groove. I maintain that this is the best album I've heard this year, and by that I mean holding judgment against The Black Keys' "Brothers," Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs," The National's "High Violet," Ryan Bingham's "Junky Star," and The Dead Weather's "Sea of Cowards." Let me know if I'm missing anything but I can't think of one that could top this.
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ahajames
Cold as a Grave
Lingering suspicions, screaming in my head
Posts: 45
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Post by ahajames on Oct 3, 2010 8:32:53 GMT
could someone send me the link of the leaked download? privately if people dont want to be tempted.... thanks
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ahajames
Cold as a Grave
Lingering suspicions, screaming in my head
Posts: 45
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Post by ahajames on Oct 3, 2010 8:41:51 GMT
scrap that found it, holy shit i cant wait for this to download!
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Post by AccuratePassion on Oct 3, 2010 9:01:50 GMT
I have no problem being the Debbie Downer and saying that on first listen, I am not that impressed.
It's good to hear the production value of each record get better and better.
However. I don't think the songs are significant. I guess you can say they all blend really well but I honestly couldn't differentiate one song from the next.
It's tough for me to accept that this is the direction they're going in as my first instinct is telling me it is out of their element. The "beach" sound. The high toned guitars, the polished vocals, everything in general seems like it went soft.
The New York sound def had an affect as some songs reminded me of NY bands like the Walkmen and the French Kicks. There was some serious 80's nostalgia on certain songs as well. It's not necessarily a record I would want to take with me to the beach as they have been seeming to suggest should happen in recent interviews.
I'll give it a couple more listens and hope its a grower and not a shower so to speak.
Back Down South is easily the best song on the record.
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Post by aviator on Oct 3, 2010 9:19:16 GMT
I have no problem being the Debbie Downer and saying that on first listen, I am not that impressed. It's good to hear the production value of each record get better and better. However. I don't think the songs are significant. I guess you can say they all blend really well but I honestly couldn't differentiate one song from the next. It's tough for me to accept that this is the direction they're going in as my first instinct is telling me it is out of their element. The "beach" sound. The high toned guitars, the polished vocals, everything in general seems like it went soft. The New York sound def had an affect as some songs reminded me of NY bands like the Walkmen and the French Kicks. There was some serious 80's nostalgia on certain songs as well. It's not necessarily a record I would want to take with me to the beach as they have been seeming to suggest should happen in recent interviews. I'll give it a couple more listens and hope its a grower and not a shower so to speak. Back Down South is easily the best song on the record. Trust me, you're not the only one that is not impressed. The whole album just sounds way too artificial to me. Everbody is talking about KOL are going back to their roots, but productionwise they farer away from their roots than ever. On Pick Up Truck, for example, you can barely hear the bass line. Mary just sounds horrible, compared to the live version. I just expected more rough and maybe faster songs. There is not a single song on the record where you can crazy to and bang your head (unless you're singing in a gospel choir maybe...)! Bottom line, it's a solid album with some really good songs (radioactive, pyro, pick up truck, back down sounds), but for me PERSONALLY it's a step back compared to BOTT.
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princeofleon
Knocked Up
Check 1. Check 1, 2. Check 1, 2, 3.
Posts: 454
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Post by princeofleon on Oct 3, 2010 9:50:44 GMT
Yeah, a lot of the same opinion going on this one on the first couple of listens.
I thought that it dragged on as one big sound, not being able to differentiate between most songs. A few songs are a bit messed up with production levels, esp Mary, I thought it was going to be more Aha Shake when I heard it live, its just maybe trying to hard to rock out. But some are produced well, the twangy guitar on Back Down South is great and unexpected and Calebs voice in Pick Up Truck is beautiful.
The whole album does have this kind of beach sound, but I have heard The End and Pyro a few times and I start to loosen up to the chilled out vibe that the album is dishing out.
Anyway, bottom line is that they have made the album that they wanted and I have every confidence that an album they like is an album that I will most certainly enjoy.
Happy listening!
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nickelette424
Runnin' Free
He's such a sucker from her head to her toes!
Posts: 288
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Post by nickelette424 on Oct 3, 2010 9:58:03 GMT
I listen to a lot of fucking music, and yes, this still stands out above anything I've heard this year. You can disagree with me but don't doubt my credibility and assume superiority for no reason.[/quote] settle down, chap.. but seriously.... i would be hard pressed to call an comprised almost entirely of rather dull mid-tempo ballads 'cool'[/quote] Actually, that is exactly what I call cool. That is the word that honestly popped into my mind when I was listening to it. I think it is laid back and chill. That's my definition of cool anyway. I find it funny how some people think an album can't be great if it isn't balls to the wall. Anyway, my standout tracks are The End, No Money, The Face, Pyro, Birthday, and I might be the only one, but I really love Beach Side. Texas you are right about the songs sounding different live. I think the biggest mistake I've made was listening to the live versions over and over all summer. For one, they seem like old songs to me now and two they don't song like the songs I know. I will get back into them later, I'm sure. I'm not gonna review song by song. However, I will say while this is different than anything else they've done, I think this is what the follow-up to BOTT should have been. It just seems more like the natural progression. In my book this album officially makes OBTN the red headed step child of all the albums. I love it, but it just doesn't measure up to the other four albums (OBTN that is). This is not Caleb's best lyrical effort, but it was ad-libbed and it's still pretty good. I think he sounds great. To me it sounds like a bit of old Caleb vocal stylings with his more mature voice. No real stand out track for Nathan, but I don't think that hurts the record, it just didn't help it. Jared is really good here. But at the end of the day, like was mentioned before, Matt owns this record. No question. Anyway, I am extremely tired and I am sure this is a rambled mess so I will end here.
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Post by kultbert on Oct 3, 2010 10:07:39 GMT
so the album got leaked then?? oh how i hate the internet right now there's no other way that your first listen to a new album from your favourite band could be less romantic. gonna avoid this thread until october 15th. bye bye. I just expected more rough and maybe faster songs. There is not a single song on the record where you can crazy to and bang your head (unless you're singing in a gospel choir maybe...)! oh no, not again i was so disappointed after my first listen to OBTN cause except for crawl there was no song to bang your head to. no no no no no, where are those great matt kick ass solos?? (thinking of four kicks, red morning light, trani, black thumbnail, charmer and so on...)
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Post by fromhelltomaine on Oct 3, 2010 10:09:13 GMT
My two cents:
I think one of the most obvious things they did wrong with this record, which is the same as OBTN, is have the first track be the most experimental and exciting, and then follow it up with, well, I wouldn't call it filler because the songs are much better than any of the "hit singles" on the charts or anything like that, but just stuff that doesn't have as much uniqueness and personality.
For me "The End" is incredible, the synths, which I rarely like on any rock record, make it sound like the crazy bastard of something from "Achtung Baby", and then there are a couple of wonderful songs after ("Radioactive", "Pyro") but songs like, "Beach Side", "No Money", "Pony Up" just blend into one another because they are pretty fast, but there's nothing defining about them. The mid-tempo thing doesn't bother me at all, but I do wish they had followed the really exciting experimental route on stuff like "The Face" because when I first listened to that I felt like that's the kind of brave new stuff "the best rock band in the world" has got to be doing.
I read this thing Frank Black said, that the absolute most important thing when writing music is the song, never the album. You should never worry about a song being too weird, or not fitting in with the rest of the record, you should go all the way with it. To me the boys did the opposite on those three songs, they all have too much of the same vibe.
And I have to say it, even though when I have before on this site everyone's disagreed, but Caleb's lyrics are getting weaker. I personally think if he had continued with the style he was developing from YAYM to BOTT (Black Thumbnail, Mcfearless, Arizona, Milk, Soft etc.) he would no doubt be one of the best lyricist's now, but ever since he started writing lines like "it rained so hard it felt like snow" and the plainness that is "Notion" it's pretty much been going down hill. I love imagery in songs, where you can imagine a world, cinematic and rich, and almost all the lyrics on CAS are just Caleb talking about feelings plain and simple, no metaphors, no nothing. I'm not saying just anyone could write what he does, and I'm not saying he has to write in a certain way or it won't be good, but you have to admit on BOTT nobody modern could touch him, and now it just seems like the words are a little 'generic'.
Overall for me there are some amazing songs that I am in awe of, and some I can't even remember, but I guess I would rather have like 5 brave, experimental, interesting songs and a bunch of generic ones than them just doing what they thought they should to remain relevant and popular.
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