Post by Nikkogino on Feb 15, 2007 1:49:58 GMT
Keep in mind...I like Kings of Leon (a lot) but I don't think they are the greatest band of all time and I don't worship the ground they walk on, make signs, trade pics, scream "i love you" at concerts, etc. I do think this is a great album for KOL. It is not as focused as ASH but I do think it takes more chances and suceeds on a higher level. So here is an honest guy's review of the album track by track (with an overall score at the end)...So here it goes:
1) Knocked Up: (8 out of 10) I can just imagine how this discussion went:
Caleb: "I've got a great idea!!!Knocked Up should be track one!!!!
Matthew: "Why...it is long and it takes a long time to end...it should be the last track."
Caleb: "Cause it would be different and no one has done that before."
Jared: "How does my hair look?"
Caleb: "Let's do it!"
Matthew: "Whatever."
Don't get me wrong...I really like this track. I think it is produced well, I like the vocals, I like the music. At first I really liked the big unexpected metal guitar lick, but after a few listens, I have decided that it is almost, sorta, maybe kinda lame....verdict is still out on this one. Don't shoot me. I actually like the lyrics and theme of the song a lot...I live down south and Caleb knocking up some young bumpkin is quite believable. I don't mean this in a mean way at all....I just find the song very honest. He pulls it off in a way that someone like...I don't know, John Mayer, or someone couldn't. So all in all, great track, and I give kudos for taking a chance and putting a last track kinda song first on the album.
2) Charmer: (8 out of 10) This song is really crazy (obviously). The screaming is grating to the ears but for some reason it is grating in a good way. The song churns along and there are a lot of cool things musically going on. This song will be pretty sweet to hear live. I would have given this song a 7 out of 10 but I LOVE the way he says "OH NO" after "Married to the preacher." This song has really grown on me though. There are a few songs on here that are REALLY SIMPLE lyrically, but they are made all the better for it. Definitely a highlight of the album.
3) On Call: (8 out of 10) No, I am not going to give every song an 8 out of 10. This is one of the songs that is really simple lyrically, but also very effective. The intro music is very cool, as are the intro vocals....sets up the song perfectly. I know a lot of people aren't too keen on this track, but I think it is another song that will sound great live. It has a great flow to it and it satisfies. I love the "I'll come a running" halfway through the track. The guitar freak out kicks my ass every which way. There is a lot of good guitar parts in this album, so kudos to Matthew. Anyway, great track and good choice for a first single.
4) Mcfearless: (9 out of 10) This song is very full sounding. There is a lot going on. The chorus makes my brain hurt a lot which is in no way a bad thing. Out of all the songs on the album, this song has stayed in my head the longest. I don't even sing the right words. The song is that great: You don't even have to sing the right words and it is still fun to sing...try it! I'll show you: "I'm fo sho, you fo sho, you must go, with my soul, give me head, where I stand is my ho, is fo shoooooo." I also really like the backing vocals in this song. They definitely take it to the next level. Great track guys.
5) Black Thumbnail: (7.5 out of 10) This album starts off nice and this song continues what is shaping up to be a superb album. The song starts off steady enough and the chorus drives it home, although I don't know what the fuck he is saying. I just say "Don't need no stone maing???" When Caleb says "Now guitar, go guitar" (or whatever he says) I smile very widely. This song seems like it will be a fan favorite. Just has a great beat and makes you feel like growing your hair out, time-machining back to 1992 and headbanging while shwinging at girls who walk by.
6) My Party: (8 out of 10) This song starts out so funky, I forget what band I am listening to. I like how the verse vocals sound like he is talking over a CB radio. I feel like I should drive by Caleb's 18-wheeler and signal him to honk his horn. Then when he does it, I will give my bros a high five and prepare for the next truck. Seriously though, this song is funky and just exudes badassiness...Again, I have no idea what he is saying: "She saw my party." Now, if this is, in fact, what he is saying, than Caleb must refer to peepees and vaginees as "parties" judging by the lyrics in the ASH song "Soft." Whatever though...I also like the funky guitar strumming throughout the track. Very cool song...lets move on.
7) True Love Way (10 out of 10): This song is freaking gay, but I love it (no offense if there are any homosexuals in here). I could listen to the "oo oo oo oo oo oo" all day long. Before I go any further, this song is one of my favorites on the album...it is tied with an unexpected track later in the album. I hate to say it, but the song is just really sweet. It makes you want to go pick flowers and play patty cake and shit...did I mention I love the "oo oo oo oo oo oo." It is perfect!!!! I love how the guitar solo kicks in after the bridge, all but cutting Caleb off mid-word. It is Matthew non-verbally saying "shut the fuck up GUITAR SOLOOOOOOOO." Man this song is great. This song is sure to confuse the hell out of casual KOL listeners...the lyric "happy alone" is used a lot throughout the song and if not for a previous KOL track, I'm sure that would have been the title.
8) Ragoo: (7.5 out of 10) This song is all over the place. I like it but for some reason there is something off. The verse totally doesn't fit with the chorus and it really, really bugs me. Now understand what I say: I like the verse and I like the chorus but I don't like them together. I would like the chorus even better but I think Caleb fucks it up in a way. He builds up this epic sounding, emotional chorus, only to shit on it with "you caught me with my pants down." Come on Caleb...and if you are going to say that gay lyric at least say it so no one can understand you. Now with that said, the fade out of the song is really cool...sounds kinda Little-Mermaidy, with a nice Carribean flair. I dig it. I do enjoy listening to this track, but again, it just doesn't work.
9) Fans: (9 out of 10) This is a cool little "diddy." I like the acoustic guitar mixed with feedback. The song is very chill sounding...care free and fun. Now, I know he says something about an "asshole" at the beginning which is kinda weird, but I'll ignore it. Caleb's vocals also sound great in this song. Although his singing has been described as an aquired taste, even a first time listener can't argue here. I just think this song is constructed perfectly. Great production, great beat, great placement within the album. Hats off.
10) The Runner: (8.5 out of 10) This song plods along and is very pleasing to the ear. My favorite part of the song is near the beginning when he sings "Onnnn her owwwwwwwn." This is a good time to comment on Caleb's vocals once more. This album is showing that Caleb's voice is actually worth talking about. Sure, us fans have all grown to love it, but first time listeners to the Kings have turned up their nose in the past. Although Caleb still keeps his unique vocal style on this album, he harmonizes and tries to do more on this cd. I'm happy for him. Cool track...I like the choir vocal at the very end of the song.
11) Trunk: (10 out of 10) Yes, this is tied with True Love Way as my favorite track. Again, very simple, yet very effective. The verse echoes along and conjures up a car moving down a hot southern road at sundown. This song hits on a lot of my senses...I feel hot, sweaty, tired, and kind of scared listening to this song. I imagine a guy riding down the road with a tied up girl in his trunk. AND THE FUCKING "OOOOOO"s are FUCKING GREAT. I imagine these "ooooooooo"s as faint screams coming from the trunk. The song is just haunting. It is brilliant. I can't say too much about it. It is just great. I am curious to see everyone else's reaction to this song. Sadly, I doubt it will be peformed live as it is just too weird and doesn't sound like it would work well live. I wonder if KOL struggled with putting this track on the album...it is very unlike any KOL song, or any other band's song for that matter. It is just so un-pop. Anyway, I'll stop orgasming over this track. Lets move on.
12) Camaro: (6.5 out of 10) I'm willing to bet anyone that Chevy will put this song in a comercial when they come out with their new revamped Camaros. This some seems kinda filler-y to me, but a rocker is defintely needed after "Trunk." This song doesn't do anything wrong...it doesn't really do anything right either. It is a cool, fun ditty though, so I shouldn't hate. I still can see this track being played over the image of a "new camaro" driving down the road with a young hottie winking at the camera. Let's move on to the final track.
13) Arizona: (8.5 out of 10) I like this track. I like the slow guitar licks and again, Caleb's vocals sound tip-top. Great choice for a closing track. I have never been to Arizona but I would like to hop in the camaro mentioned in the prior track and drive aimlessly through the desert. The guitar leads the way to the end of the album. Just wanted to point this out as well: If this track went toe to toe against ASH's closer "Rememo," it would kick its fucking ass. It would kick its ass EVEN IF "Rememo" didn't suck really really badly. Anyway, I really enjoyed this track and I love it when bands fade out the last track of an album (no matter how cliched this is, it still kicks ass and is always a wise choice).
OVERALL: (9 out of 10)
The guys have definitely matured. Again, this album isn't nearly as focused as the past two efforts but it takes chances and is all over the place. Whereas all the songs on YAYM and ASH fit within those albums specifically, these songs all have more of an individual identity (does that make sense?). KOL are everywhere on this album...I hear country, rock, metal, reggae, funk, etc. I am having a blast listening to this album and I look forward to the upcoming tours. Cheers! I hope everyone else is enjoying it as much as I am.
1) Knocked Up: (8 out of 10) I can just imagine how this discussion went:
Caleb: "I've got a great idea!!!Knocked Up should be track one!!!!
Matthew: "Why...it is long and it takes a long time to end...it should be the last track."
Caleb: "Cause it would be different and no one has done that before."
Jared: "How does my hair look?"
Caleb: "Let's do it!"
Matthew: "Whatever."
Don't get me wrong...I really like this track. I think it is produced well, I like the vocals, I like the music. At first I really liked the big unexpected metal guitar lick, but after a few listens, I have decided that it is almost, sorta, maybe kinda lame....verdict is still out on this one. Don't shoot me. I actually like the lyrics and theme of the song a lot...I live down south and Caleb knocking up some young bumpkin is quite believable. I don't mean this in a mean way at all....I just find the song very honest. He pulls it off in a way that someone like...I don't know, John Mayer, or someone couldn't. So all in all, great track, and I give kudos for taking a chance and putting a last track kinda song first on the album.
2) Charmer: (8 out of 10) This song is really crazy (obviously). The screaming is grating to the ears but for some reason it is grating in a good way. The song churns along and there are a lot of cool things musically going on. This song will be pretty sweet to hear live. I would have given this song a 7 out of 10 but I LOVE the way he says "OH NO" after "Married to the preacher." This song has really grown on me though. There are a few songs on here that are REALLY SIMPLE lyrically, but they are made all the better for it. Definitely a highlight of the album.
3) On Call: (8 out of 10) No, I am not going to give every song an 8 out of 10. This is one of the songs that is really simple lyrically, but also very effective. The intro music is very cool, as are the intro vocals....sets up the song perfectly. I know a lot of people aren't too keen on this track, but I think it is another song that will sound great live. It has a great flow to it and it satisfies. I love the "I'll come a running" halfway through the track. The guitar freak out kicks my ass every which way. There is a lot of good guitar parts in this album, so kudos to Matthew. Anyway, great track and good choice for a first single.
4) Mcfearless: (9 out of 10) This song is very full sounding. There is a lot going on. The chorus makes my brain hurt a lot which is in no way a bad thing. Out of all the songs on the album, this song has stayed in my head the longest. I don't even sing the right words. The song is that great: You don't even have to sing the right words and it is still fun to sing...try it! I'll show you: "I'm fo sho, you fo sho, you must go, with my soul, give me head, where I stand is my ho, is fo shoooooo." I also really like the backing vocals in this song. They definitely take it to the next level. Great track guys.
5) Black Thumbnail: (7.5 out of 10) This album starts off nice and this song continues what is shaping up to be a superb album. The song starts off steady enough and the chorus drives it home, although I don't know what the fuck he is saying. I just say "Don't need no stone maing???" When Caleb says "Now guitar, go guitar" (or whatever he says) I smile very widely. This song seems like it will be a fan favorite. Just has a great beat and makes you feel like growing your hair out, time-machining back to 1992 and headbanging while shwinging at girls who walk by.
6) My Party: (8 out of 10) This song starts out so funky, I forget what band I am listening to. I like how the verse vocals sound like he is talking over a CB radio. I feel like I should drive by Caleb's 18-wheeler and signal him to honk his horn. Then when he does it, I will give my bros a high five and prepare for the next truck. Seriously though, this song is funky and just exudes badassiness...Again, I have no idea what he is saying: "She saw my party." Now, if this is, in fact, what he is saying, than Caleb must refer to peepees and vaginees as "parties" judging by the lyrics in the ASH song "Soft." Whatever though...I also like the funky guitar strumming throughout the track. Very cool song...lets move on.
7) True Love Way (10 out of 10): This song is freaking gay, but I love it (no offense if there are any homosexuals in here). I could listen to the "oo oo oo oo oo oo" all day long. Before I go any further, this song is one of my favorites on the album...it is tied with an unexpected track later in the album. I hate to say it, but the song is just really sweet. It makes you want to go pick flowers and play patty cake and shit...did I mention I love the "oo oo oo oo oo oo." It is perfect!!!! I love how the guitar solo kicks in after the bridge, all but cutting Caleb off mid-word. It is Matthew non-verbally saying "shut the fuck up GUITAR SOLOOOOOOOO." Man this song is great. This song is sure to confuse the hell out of casual KOL listeners...the lyric "happy alone" is used a lot throughout the song and if not for a previous KOL track, I'm sure that would have been the title.
8) Ragoo: (7.5 out of 10) This song is all over the place. I like it but for some reason there is something off. The verse totally doesn't fit with the chorus and it really, really bugs me. Now understand what I say: I like the verse and I like the chorus but I don't like them together. I would like the chorus even better but I think Caleb fucks it up in a way. He builds up this epic sounding, emotional chorus, only to shit on it with "you caught me with my pants down." Come on Caleb...and if you are going to say that gay lyric at least say it so no one can understand you. Now with that said, the fade out of the song is really cool...sounds kinda Little-Mermaidy, with a nice Carribean flair. I dig it. I do enjoy listening to this track, but again, it just doesn't work.
9) Fans: (9 out of 10) This is a cool little "diddy." I like the acoustic guitar mixed with feedback. The song is very chill sounding...care free and fun. Now, I know he says something about an "asshole" at the beginning which is kinda weird, but I'll ignore it. Caleb's vocals also sound great in this song. Although his singing has been described as an aquired taste, even a first time listener can't argue here. I just think this song is constructed perfectly. Great production, great beat, great placement within the album. Hats off.
10) The Runner: (8.5 out of 10) This song plods along and is very pleasing to the ear. My favorite part of the song is near the beginning when he sings "Onnnn her owwwwwwwn." This is a good time to comment on Caleb's vocals once more. This album is showing that Caleb's voice is actually worth talking about. Sure, us fans have all grown to love it, but first time listeners to the Kings have turned up their nose in the past. Although Caleb still keeps his unique vocal style on this album, he harmonizes and tries to do more on this cd. I'm happy for him. Cool track...I like the choir vocal at the very end of the song.
11) Trunk: (10 out of 10) Yes, this is tied with True Love Way as my favorite track. Again, very simple, yet very effective. The verse echoes along and conjures up a car moving down a hot southern road at sundown. This song hits on a lot of my senses...I feel hot, sweaty, tired, and kind of scared listening to this song. I imagine a guy riding down the road with a tied up girl in his trunk. AND THE FUCKING "OOOOOO"s are FUCKING GREAT. I imagine these "ooooooooo"s as faint screams coming from the trunk. The song is just haunting. It is brilliant. I can't say too much about it. It is just great. I am curious to see everyone else's reaction to this song. Sadly, I doubt it will be peformed live as it is just too weird and doesn't sound like it would work well live. I wonder if KOL struggled with putting this track on the album...it is very unlike any KOL song, or any other band's song for that matter. It is just so un-pop. Anyway, I'll stop orgasming over this track. Lets move on.
12) Camaro: (6.5 out of 10) I'm willing to bet anyone that Chevy will put this song in a comercial when they come out with their new revamped Camaros. This some seems kinda filler-y to me, but a rocker is defintely needed after "Trunk." This song doesn't do anything wrong...it doesn't really do anything right either. It is a cool, fun ditty though, so I shouldn't hate. I still can see this track being played over the image of a "new camaro" driving down the road with a young hottie winking at the camera. Let's move on to the final track.
13) Arizona: (8.5 out of 10) I like this track. I like the slow guitar licks and again, Caleb's vocals sound tip-top. Great choice for a closing track. I have never been to Arizona but I would like to hop in the camaro mentioned in the prior track and drive aimlessly through the desert. The guitar leads the way to the end of the album. Just wanted to point this out as well: If this track went toe to toe against ASH's closer "Rememo," it would kick its fucking ass. It would kick its ass EVEN IF "Rememo" didn't suck really really badly. Anyway, I really enjoyed this track and I love it when bands fade out the last track of an album (no matter how cliched this is, it still kicks ass and is always a wise choice).
OVERALL: (9 out of 10)
The guys have definitely matured. Again, this album isn't nearly as focused as the past two efforts but it takes chances and is all over the place. Whereas all the songs on YAYM and ASH fit within those albums specifically, these songs all have more of an individual identity (does that make sense?). KOL are everywhere on this album...I hear country, rock, metal, reggae, funk, etc. I am having a blast listening to this album and I look forward to the upcoming tours. Cheers! I hope everyone else is enjoying it as much as I am.
of course I'm going to disagree with some aspects of it but at the mo i have no time to write my personal opinion on each song cos I've got to dash of to uni soon, but its definitely a grower, a lot is different from the previous albums, but in a good way. 
.
), was playing i looked up at the sky and there were these small birds (they were not pigeons, they may have been sparrows) that were flying in formation, and i just smiled, cos the "ooooooh" bit of the song and the beat of the music was in sync with their flying.
10/10
