New album is disappointing

[electricrussia]

KOL is, and will remain one of my top favorite bands.

that being said...

I cannot beleive how bland this new album is. There are a few gems, but these will most likely be the singles.
The gated reverb, and reverb effects Caleb is using on his vocals are so dated that it is not even cliche as much as it is in just bad taste.

The previous records were hot and alive. I am absolutely positive that unlike those records this record was not recorded with all of the members playing at the same time in the studio, i doubt they were even in the same state for most of it.
It sounds dead and pretentious, which pains me to say.

When the record comes out and you buy it, do yourself and KOL a favor and DO NOT under any circumstances listen to the track entitled "CAMARO" this is by far the worst song on the record and unless you want to feel sad do not listen to it.

This is all my opinion and you all should judge for yourselves, I just needed to vent. BUT SERIOUSLY!!! DO NOT LISTEN TO CAMARO!!

[evilincarnate]

I quite like Camaro (regardless of the bad memories of an ex-boyfriend who drove one)....

"reverb effects Caleb is using on his vocals are so dated.." This is part of the KOL's sound, it's supposed to be kind of vintage, and sound weathered. That's their appeal. So, to each their own.

[electricrussia]

i guess if you're the type of person who has bad memories from a boyfriend that drove a camaro, you would like that song.

I however, think its shite.

It sounds like generic, mid nineties bar music .

and as far as KOL's appeal: I dont remember there being canned drums and synthesized strings or such a heavy amount of reverse gated reverb in the first two records.

you took me out of context to support your vague point, the vocal effects are dated and cheesy. I love the nouveau vintage sound that they HAD.

Maybe in a couple of years that kind of poorly produced music made in the early and mid nineties that some of these tracks are reminiscent of will be the new thing but when i hear this record i get a bad feeling that can only be explained as;

It's not what ya' feel like...

[Twelvevolts]

I disagree - probably best so far and a bit more complex than the last two with more intricate rhythm's. Brilliant really - wasn't sure they could take it to another level but they have. Be interested to read the reviews when it is released.

[marc3]

I think Camaro is the weakest track on an otherwise very good album.

[blackbirdclaw]

I have mixed feelings about the new album (as I believe I've stated in some other thread). But I do not find it disappointing overall. It took time to get to use to some of the songs, for instance I was very disappointed by "On Call" when I first heard it but now it's really grown on me and I think it may be one of the best songs on the album. I think the sound on this album is far more mature, Caleb's songwriting, especially his melodies. And all of the musicians have shown growth, I was never impressed by Jared's bass work but I think that he's really shown some worthy skill on this record. Nathan is finally letting loose too and Matthew's guitar work is more subtle which speaks volumes for him.

My mixed feelings about the album have even led me to restructure the album for my own listening pleasure, which I never do. On my playlist I erased "Camaro" (because I too cannot stand the song) and "Trunk" (which isn't a bad song overall, but interrupts the album's flow at the end). Between "The Runner" and "Arizona" I have placed "Charmer" which gives the end of the album a strong momentum as it goes into "Arizona." I think the actual album is too long. My cutting gives it a propelling ending that's reminiscent of the endings of ASH and Y&YM that left you wanting more, which I believe is a sign of a good album.

But I like this album overall. The Kings have made a very smooth transition to focusing on more slower, spacious songs (I absolutely love "Fans"), a thing that many bands find difficult (I cite the disappointing "First Impressions of Earth" by The Strokes, not that these are similar albums, they only share the change to a bigger sound for both bands). My suggestion would be to give the album more time and allow the slower songs to grow on you, they really are the heart of this album.

[benief]

LISTEN TO IT MORE!

it really is a truly awesome album

"camaro" will even grow on you..

it has on me.

[ruby]

I like the new album, but the 1 song which i actually can't stand and it does break my heat, because i love their music is Charmer - its absolutely shit, but i sort of forgive them, as i see it as a kind of experiment, and we all have to learn from our mistakes

[dunhiriel]

Carry on listening to the album and it might grow on you. Otherwise - not all is lost, for KOL have 2 perfectly good albums already out

[Good Lord Its Me Jane]

On the whole I like it. The Reverb doesn't do them any favours. (I vote lesbian nannies in the control booth with meter rulers to smack hands if they go near the reverb controls.)

[ruby]

dunhiriel said:

Carry on listening to the album and it might grow on you. Otherwise - not all is lost, for KOL have 2 perfectly good albums already out

o don't get me wrong i love the album and have been listening to it constantly , but I'm still not keen on charmer its mainly the screams

[princeofleon]

I love the album and think On Call is one the weakest songs with The Runner. However, I think Camaro is class and is one of my favourites, Calebs voice is excellent in it.

[dunhiriel]

vienna said:

dunhiriel said:

Carry on listening to the album and it might grow on you. Otherwise - not all is lost, for KOL have 2 perfectly good albums already out

o don't get me wrong i love the album and have been listening to it constantly , but I'm still not keen on charmer its mainly the screams

Agreed.

[electricrussia]

I am definitely going to keep listening but no amount of listening is going to make camaro a good song.
And as for the music being more intricate; It just isnt.

The problem is the negative space in this record. They are actually all playing less on this record than before which leads you to beleive that what they are playing is more intricate or difficult. When there's less of it, the fiddly bits realy stand out.
Trust me, there is nothing on this record that shows any more prowess than what was on the last 2.

How could they put camaro on this record, seriously. I am pulling my hair out over this one.

[mystery girl]

I finally gave in to my curiosity and downloaded BOTT today.
I am on " My Party" right now.
So far, I love the album. I especially love the songs I've already heard live. That's probably more to do with the memories, but I love it.
I think people are always so quick to lump bands into a certain category or expect them not to change and grow. This can often lead to disappointment.
Which has been the case for some of the old KOL fans.
I, however, am so stoked on BOTT, thus far....

carry on...

[electricrussia]

just because i think the record is not up to their potential doesnt mean im closed minded. You dont always have to accept a shitty record as the band trying something new, sometimes the new thing they are trying is being lazy.

[Viscera Eyes]

I completely adore Camero! I don't find the scream annoying at all. I think its amazing. For people that listen to metal and or hard/rock like me, its not a bad song...infact its an amazing song.

Either way I love Camero. Its an overall rad as hell song.

And I mean, theres a couple'a other threads with people being dissapointed with BOTT. Go post there, negativity wastes space.

[iamhammill]

Hey everyone!

I just joined so I could vent to someone that actually cares haha!

First off, I was inline for the Y&YM release many years back, and have been a hardcore fan since. Seen um live a couple times and all that jazz. KOL (and the Strokes) are the reason I started a band myself (for anyone that cares, myspace.com/swingingfingers) but anyways, I know my KOL hah!

Okay so I saw Black Thumbnail on youtube a couple months back from their Voodoo show, and was stoked! I was like if the rest of the album is like this song, this is gonna be the best album yet! Next came Arizona, which again, was sweet! Totally had the KOL feel to it.

Now, I don't mind bands that experiment a little, and try to find a new sound. When I heard the On Call single, I got a little scared. It grew on me, but the effects on the bass and vocals left me questioning some things. They never used effects before, and the raw sound is what really made them (similar to the Strokes first two albums).

Okay so 2 of the first 3 songs I heard, overall not bad. I'm still digging the new album's chances.

It's obvious they all advanced as musicians. Jered probably progressed the most, although Nathan's drummer is way more advanced. But I actually think this ruined them. Simpler was better I think for KOL. It's made them connect with so many people IMO.

Last night I got a copy of the album, and listened to it the whole way through 2 times.

WTF HAPPENED.

Besides Arizona and BT, the rest is pretty much chopped to shit. Some songs are close, but they all sound like they are missing something. The effects ruin a lot for me, the reverb is out of control. I think being on tour with Pearl Jam had an impact on them. Everything sounds almost "mainstream" Caleb plays about half as much worth of guitar, and Matthew might as well have not even played on this album. I loved how on ASH you can tell when one of the two drop out, and how each one would add to the songs with the guitar parts. Nathan's drumming is so complicated that I start to pay attention to the drums, and besides Zep or maybe Rush, the drums never need to be the focal point.

Very much like the 3rd Strokes album, KOL went a little too far out of the box. Thankfully we have 2 other albums full of simple, powerful, rock and roll. This pop stuff will work great for the American MTV crowd, which is the only market they need yet.

Thank god for the Wildbirds. (myspace.com/thewildbirds)

Peace,
Jake

[KingOfLeon]

Camaro is amazing like every other song, if you are a true Kings Of Leon fan then you will love every second of every song on every album. I dont even think they have one bad song.

[mystery girl]

here here