music reviews
page 24
Brandon Flowers,
Flamingo, Album Review
A great feature of Bradon Flowers new album which
anthem like quality. A haunting synthesiser structures
got the
was released September 6th, 2010 in the UK is that it
‘Only the Young’. The song seems to be a statement
whole good
really sounds like a genuine diary of a modern indie
through a ballad, Brandon sings through the chorus
vs. evil idea
hero. The album slotted in at number one in the UK
“Only the young can break away, lost when the wind
running
charts, which is only expected as Brandon is figure for
blows, on your way”. On ‘Hard Enough’ Flowers shares
through it
music fans in the UK but also a major influence on
vocal harmonies with Rilo Kiley vocalist Jenny Lewis,
which gives
much of the indie-rock bands who tailed on the success
the song’s melancholic lyrics of personal struggle are
it a sense of
of The Killers prolific debut that was ‘Hot Fuss’.
brightened by a melodic keyboard.
righteousness. The tenth track ‘On the floor’ seems to be written out
The record conjures all kinds of imagery and insights
Another number to look out for is ‘Jilted Lovers &
of pain and loss, the lyrics are dark but the song has a
into not only Brandon’s thoughts but also life in a
Broken Hearts’ with interesting lyrics and great guitar
good integrity, a choir matches the power of the words
ruthless city like Las Vegas. Opening track ‘Welcome to
playing from special guest Daniel Lanois. ‘Was It
with soulful singing. The album is definitely worth a
Fabulous Las Vegas’ is fittingly titled as it allows the
Something I Said’ could easily be heard on the dance
listen and comes across as a very inspired piece of work.
listener to feel like they are driving into the city looking
floor on any club, it’s the most up-beat and fun song on
It’s also a great attempt considering it’s the singer’s first
in awe of all the lights and glamour. A galloping drum
the album. The launch single and radio friendly
solo effort.
beat along with chiming guitar work gives the song an
‘Crossfire’ builds up into a euphoric chorus; lyrically it’s
By Shane Leonard
Cast of Cheers When I first heard The Cast of Cheers album ‘Chariot’
Disneyland after downing a litre of Calpol, they see the
is the product of the
back in February I considered them one of the most
band branch out more, experimenting with harmonies
foursome’s live
exciting bands in Ireland, after last Friday’s performance
and placing a greater emphasis on the vocals of lead
endeavours and what is merely a backing track. What is
in the Roisin Dubh they have made their way to the top
singer Conor Adams, whose distinctive growl was
apparent is that this band comes alive on stage,
of that list. Excited as I was before the Dublin based
flawless live. The impact of these new songs was
producing a colossal sound matched by their presence.
math rockers took to the stage I couldn’t help but feel
compounded when Adams revealed to me after the gig
This was reflected in the number of spectators who
an air of predictability about the set. After all ‘Chariot’ is
that the lyrics have yet to be written and what we
made their way in from the bar outside having heard the
their only release to date and the band has been gigging
witnessed was basically improvisation on his part.
quality on offer free of charge. Not only that but the
pretty solidly since then. What I wasn’t expecting was
If you’re familiar with The Cast of Cheers you’ll know
crowd was a sea of awkward elbows and knees rising
to encounter new material with the set only three songs
that their songs are effects laden, fist-pumping anthems
and falling as the infectious music compelled its
old. In fact we were treated to three new tracks and the
that do not stop to take a breath. As such the band
audience to dance. 2010 has been a landmark year for
good news is the latest offerings are every bit as good if
simply cannot recreate the many layers of noise live and
Irish music and The Cast of Cheers have played their
not better than what ‘Chariot’ boasts. While these
some is pre-recorded. With pedals being stamped on
part, now they’ve given something to look forward to in
songs retain an energy level equivalent to a kid at
and buttons being pushed its hard to know what exactly
2011. By Ian Cusack
The Kings of Leon "Come Around Sundown" album It mustn't be easy being The Kings of Leon. First of all,
reviewer" here and say they've gone back to their
the remix album (being done with Justin Timberlake,
they're from Tennessee - that can't be fun. Secondly,
roots, but it does indeed seem that The Kings of Leon
Linkin Park and Mark Ronson amongst others)
they are now tasked with following up one of the
have gone back to their roots. It's nearly as if the
surfaces sometime next year.
biggest songs of our generation. Sex On Fire (along
Followills (they're all related by the way) knew that a
I would imagine that The Kings will have a hard time
with Use Somebody) was, while overplayed, a near
fresh approach would be needed after "Only By The
gigging with this album, as it never really seems to
perfect stadium rock anthem that topped the charts
Night" and are shying away from the show-off
take off, if you know what I mean. That being said, at
here, finally made the band famous back home, and is
stadium anthems and returning to simple alternative
this stage the band have such a powerful back-
still drunkenly belted out at 3am outside Supemac,s
rock. The album does have a very beach-y feel to it
catalogue of crowd pleasers that they probably never
Eyre Square every Saturday night. So the question is,
from the mellow nature of the tracks to the photo of
will have a hard time gigging anyway. This is an album
where do you go from there? It seems the band can
palm trees and the lads by the sea on the CD case.
designed to be listened to whilst cruising down the
either take the route of U2 and keep churning out hit
As far as singles go, the two here (Radioactive and
coast at sunset or when some chill-out time is needed
after hit til they're old and grey, or they can go the
Pyro) are only just ok. It appears that the focus was to
after a long day. And in this age of plastic pop and
way of MGMT who followed up the impossibly
have lots of good songs spread out over the album
auto-tune, I can find nothing wong with that.
popular "Kids" with a second album that was, by
rather than have one or two big hits surrounded by
comparison, a bit shit really.
duds. For those who considered themselves as fans
‘Come Around Sundown’ is now available to buy in
"Come Around Sundown", their fifth studio album and
before the bandwagon rolled into town in 2008, this
HMV Galway. Standard Edition €13.99, Deluxe
latest offering, finds itself nestled nicely somewhere
album has a lot to offer. But for others who might find
Edition €15.99
in the middle. I don't want to go all "pretentious
it hard to sit still your best bet would be to wait until
By Darragh O'Connor