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nly By The Night is the 2008 studio album by American rock band Kings Of Leon. Compared to earlier works verging on the cutting edge and indie primeval, this fourth album is deemed (worse, damned) by critics as overtly commercial, but true Leon followers know better. This fourth studio album may just be the closest thing to a flawless musical birthing to happen in recent years. True, this band of Followil brothers and a cousin from Nashville goes for the squeaky faultless and spotless finish this time around, but what the work missed out in the raw-rough-raunch department, it brandishes ten-fold in undeterred sincerity and sweeping aural and rhetorical beauty. The grit and grace of Use Somebody (52nd Grammy Awards Record of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance - Duo/Group with Vocal) fuse beautifully to create a striking statement that stands out and doesn’t get lost even in a dance remix appearing elsewhere. Between the searing intro of Closer and the pained verses of Cold Desert, the Kings deliver music that holds you and never lets go. As always, bassist Jared plays exquisitely, and vocalist Caleb plays emotions masterfully. With all 11 tracks coalescing into a multifaceted whole, the exceptional album called Only By The Night solidifies the band’s rock status and rock star appeal endearingly and rightfully so. Can hardly wait for the next magnificent album!
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orilla Manor, the 2010 debut album by LA-based indie band Local Natives, breathes music filled with AfroPop-themed guitars, dynamic drums, tribal beats, dreamy harmonies, and otherworldly melodies. A virtual Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on acid, Local Natives tread the more esoteric back roads of fusion Afro-beat and post-punk. Taylor Rice (guitar/vocals), Kelcey Ayer (keyboards/vocals), Ryan Hahn (guitar/vocals), Andy Hamm (bass) and Matt Frazier (drums) together create an appealingly unique and desirably mysterious sound -- using melodies that are complex and magnetic, and vocals that are colorful and fresh. Airplanes is no doubt one of the best tracks here; both uplifting and painstaking, the words “I want you back” never sounded so beautiful. Camera Talk merges hypnotic rhythm with mesmerizing harmonies, a lone violin serving as a reality cap. In Cards And Quarters, the percussions rein in a plain but powerful beat around which the song disentangles into more intricate pieces. Sun Hands goes overdrive on the passion bit, it’s almost like being towed in a harmless tsunami. Shape Shifter starts off so unceremoniously that when the chorus hits you it’s too late to hold back the floodgate of your emotions. Other tracks that complete the experience include Who Knows Who Cares, Wide Eyes and World News, no alliteration intended.
train is back, kings of leon is in top form, and local natives simply blows you away.
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