Elaine Peppard posted on October 23, 2010 19:00
A review of the album 'Come Around Sundown' by Kings of Leon
Review Snapshot: Come Around Sundown is the 5th studio album from Tennessee Rock band Kings of Leon. After a previous release that was less than impressive, anticipation was high. And Come Around Sundown does not disappoint. It feels like a super-album, taking all the best bits from their previous releases and combining them to give fans something they have never heard before.
The Cluas Verdict? 7 out of 10
Full Review:The single from the album is “Radioactive.” It was a weak release considering the standard of the rest of the album. It also doesn’t entirely fit in with the album’s sound and though it’s a great song on it’s own, it shouldn’t be used as the benchmark for the rest of the album.
A much stronger single would have been “Pyro”. This chorus-rich song tells the story of man who decides to leave his family, for fear that he has become their “cornerstone” .
“Bury all the pictures and tell the kids that I’m ok.
Even if I’m forgotten, you’ll remember me for a day”
“Mary” is a real standout. The verses are so different from anything we have ever heard from the Kings before, while the heavy guitar backing means it fits in perfectly with what fans know them for; hard rock.
“Back Down South” sounds just like it’s name suggests. It’s as if they wanted us to hear the sounds that had inspired them as musicians in the first place, something they were clearly trying to get back to themselves. The song ends with raucous cheering and laughter, adding to the joy and warmth of this tune.
“If you wanna go, I’m goin back down south now,
Go and take my hand
I’m goin back down south now”
“No Money”, along with “Pickup Truck” sound like a nod to long time fans, both sounding like they had been written originally for “Because of the Times” but landed on the cutting room floor. It manages to be both ‘old school’ and progressive at the same time, something not to be laughed at.
“Come Around Sundown” does something fans won’t have heard before. Each song can be traced back to a previous album where we had heard that sound before, meaning it’s almost impossible to hate it. There is no ‘new’ sound on this album, just all the ‘new’ sounds they used on their previous releases merged perfectly into one.
Elaine Peppard
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