Kings of Leon - WALLS (2016)

Artwork: 

Bron: www.kingsofleon.com

Kings of Leon have found their new comfort-zone

Kings of Leon burst into the spotlights with their 2008 hit-album “Only By The Night”. Ever since, the band seemed uncomfortable with their newfound world-fame, criticizing fans for only being familiar with their hit songs. Albums “Come Around Sundown” and “Mechanical Bull” spawned some hit singles, but they showed a band who seemed to be a bit scared to write a massive cracker. With their new album “Walls”, the band seems to have let go of that state of mind. They seem to have found their own comfort-zone, and it’s a good one.

Starting the album is first single “Waste A Moment”, which became a hit immediately after its release. It features that signature Kings of Leon sound that makes you want to sing along after the first spin, and it is great to have that back. The band seems to slow down a bit more on “WALLS”, but without losing the catchiness you want from them. Songs like “Reverend” and “Around the World” keep repeating over and over in your head, a feat that goes on throughout almost the entire record.

This results in a record that doesn’t sound necessarily new or fresh, which is probably the record’s biggest flaw. It sounds like Kings of Leon all over, it’s great for the fans and it is great radio audience. But for those seeking for growth in Kings of Leon might be disappointed in this album. An exception on this could be the song “Over”. Like many Kings of Leon songs, it leans heavily on a terrific bass riff, but it shines with a beautiful crafted atmosphere that makes you think of songs like “Closer” (“Only By The Night”) and “On Call” (“Because of the Times”).

If there is one thing that could come as a surprise, it’s that Kings of Leon is not afraid to take their foot off the gas a little more on this album. It features slower songs than previous albums, although Kings of Leon have of course never been afraid to put in a little ballad on their records. However, with four songs out of ten being somewhat slower, you could call this surprising, and a pleasant surprise at that. In Kings of Leon tradition, the album ends with a ballad, the beautiful and haunting “WALLS”, which sees singer Caleb Followill at his most emotional and fragile. The song proves to be a major highlight of the album, a smart pick for the album closer.

Kings of Leon seems to have matured even more on this record. They have left behind their need to not make hits, and seem to have found a sound that is unmistakably their own. This results in a very decent and solid album, unfortunately with only very few surprises. A few surprises in the future in their sound would be a very welcome variation, but for now the band be very proud of their new album, and of their seemingly newfound maturity and comfort-zone.

Top songs:

-Waste a Moment

-Around the World

-Over

-WALLS

Best Lyric:
Oh, take the time to waste a moment

Oh, never ask to be forgiven

("Waste a Moment")

Musicians:

Caleb Followill - Vocals, Guitars

Jared Followill - Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Matthew Followill - Guitars, Backing Vocals

Nathan Followill - Drums, Backing Vocals

Producer:

Markus Dravs

Recorded @:
Henson Recording Studio's, Hollywood, CA

Released:

14 October 2016

Reviewed by:

Thijs Grootveld

Rating:
7,5/10

Alter Bridge - The Last Hero (2016)

Artwork: Daniel Tremonti
Photo Credits: Carlos Amoedo

Bron: www.alterbridge.com

Alter Bridge Is Not Done Yet

Alter Bridge is often called one of the busiest bands in the business. Due to lead singer Myles Kennedy fronting Slash & feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators on the side, and guitarist Mark Tremonti being busy with his own project Tremonti, it has been a while since we've heard some new music by Alter Bridge after "Fortress" (2013). Now, three years later, when the days have started to become darker, they return with a brand new album: The Last Hero. And man, have they returned!

Kicking off the album with first single "Show Me A Leader", the boys from Alter Bridge show immediately that this time it is real. The immense energy of the first few tracks set up the record brilliantly, but you can't help but feel as if something has crept into the music what seemed a little lost on Fortress. The record is a very emotional one, filled with beautiful lyrics about how the world and society has been treated lately. Myles Kennedy sounds better than ever. He has the remarkable ability to shift into even a higher gear when you thought he was at his top, and he does just that on The Last Hero. There is more emotion, more power, and somehow more credibility. His voice shines best in songs like "The Other Side", "Cradle To The Grave", and "The Last Hero".

In general, this album is a lot darker than its predecessor. However, what is an Alter Bridge album without some beautiful, uplifting songs. Fourth track "My Champion" is one of those, the major feel of the song puts a smile on your face from note one, and though the lyrics may seem a little cheesy at first, you start to feel them more and more every spin. Alter Bridge has always been a band with credible and honest lyrics, sometimes to the point of brutality, as in "Poison In Your Veins"; everything that could've been / has only failed to be / cause you wasted all your precious time / you were too afraid to dream.

Alter Bridge fans have been waiting on a new 'epic' since 2007's "Blackbird", with its title track becoming one of the most loved songs the band has ever produced. With ABIII's "Words Darker Than Their Wings", and the title track from "Fortress", the band released songs that were definitely more epic than average, but they didn't reach the heights of "Blackbird". However, this record they have more tricks up their sleeves. And these tricks are called "This Side of Fate" and "The Last Hero", two 6+ minute songs with an immensely epic feel. With "This Side of Fate" Alter Bridge brings something entirely fresh to the table. They have added more flavors to the sound that they have become known for, adding elements that sound very influenced by the legendary Queen, or more recently Muse. This all comes together in one amazingly written and performed song, an absolute highlight of the album and one that is exemplary for the entire album.

Alter Bridge is back, with renewed energy, and they sound bigger than ever. The combination of the old and new on this record mean only one thing: Alter Bridge are definitely not done with us yet!

Top Songs:

- The Other Side

- Cradle To The Grave

- This Side of Fate

- The Last Hero

Best lyric:

Tyrants overtaking intoxicate with lies
There is no escaping, not this time
The simple man receiving, defending every crime
Somehow still believing they are right
So hypnotized

("The Last Hero")

Musicians:

Myles Kennedy - Vocals, Guitar

Mark Tremonti - Guitar, Backing Vocals

Brian Marshall - Bass

Scott Phillips - Drums

Producer:

Michael "Elvis" Baskette

Recorded @:

Studio Barbosa, Orlando, FL

Released:

7 October 2016

Reviewed by:

Thijs Grootveld

Rating:

9/10

Amos Lee - Spirit (2016)

Artwork by

Bron: www.amoslee.com

Amos Lee turns up the groove

Ever since Amos Lee released his self-titled debut album back in 2005, his name has been a present one in popular music. Rising to fame with hit track "Arms of a Woman", Lee quickly took an important place in the American music business. Now, more than eleven years later, Amos Lee releases his sixth studio album, "Spirit". And where the gospel spirit was present in his music from the start, Lee takes it up a notch on his latest album, grooving like never before.

In the first three songs, Amos Lee manages to capture you whole. The mellow groove and soulful vocals start the record off perfectly, and Lee immediately makes a beautiful statement about love, faith and life. The amazing bass line in "Running Out of Time" makes it memorable from the first spin, where the sweet piano in "Spirit" takes you in right away.

The record is built up beautifully, with loads of tasty drum lines, bass lines that make you wanna dance, and then the choirs... Brilliantly orchestrated, smoothly built up, at times leading to climaxes higher than Lee has reached. A great example of this is the sweet "One Lonely Light", right in the middle of the album. This song seems to slow the album down a pace or two, but not to the point where it gets dull. On the contrary! With songs like "Till You Come Back Through", "Walls", "Hurt Me", and leading single "Vaporize", Lee finds a great way to end this album; different than it started, but with a sense of content, it is supposed to end like this. Previous mentioned song "Vaporize" proves to be an absolute highlight of this album, full of lyrics typical to Amos Lee, but with a groove that seems new, refreshing.

Lyric-wise, the album is classic Amos Lee. It's about heartbreak, life, faith, and self-reflection. Not groundbreaking or revolutionary, but it works. In a way that is so typical to Amos Lee, he manages to write about his previous relationships in a way that call for hope, for better things to come. And even when he sings about his losses and his wrongs, Lee does never come across as pathetic or wanting your pity; he knows what went wrong, and now he's telling you. This is effectively portrayed in the song "Hurt me", where he sings "I don't want your mercy, tonight / I want to feel the devil in your eyes / are you strong enough to watch me die?".

It is obvious that Lee decided to take a different approach to this song, and the entire album for that matter, than he did before. And every spin of the album makes it even more obvious how beautiful it is. Amos Lee is at his best when singing about pain and loss of love, here's to hoping he won't stop doing it any time soon!

Top Songs:
- Vaporize
- Hurt Me
- Spirit
- One Lonely Light

Best Lyric:
Late at night while I lie awake watching you so peacefully
Oh, a fantasy of how you're gonna set me free
'Cause this brutal truth is too true to deny
And I'm begging you to free the pain that locks me up inside
("Hurt Me")

Musicians:
Amos Lee - Vocals, Guitars
Adam Blackstone - Bass
Mark Colenburg - Drums
David Stream - Keyboard
Zach Djanikian - Guitars, Saxophone
Andy Keenan - Guitars, Saxophone
Annie Clements - Bass
Fred Berman - Drums

Producer:
Ryan Anthony Massaro (Amos Lee)

Recorded @:
Ocean Way, Nashville, TN

Released:
19 august 2016

Reviewed by:
Thijs Grootveld

Rating:
8,5/10

Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Getaway (2016)

Artwork painting by Kevin Peterson
Bron: www.redhotchilipeppers.com

Klinghoffer Has Settled In

It's already been seven years when guitarist and co-composer John Frusciante left the Red Hot Chili Peppers and when his good friend Josh Klinghoffer officially joined the band. After an album that didn't sound too comfortable, the Peppers now return with their second effort with Klinghoffer in their ranks. And he has settled in. The Getaway is by all standards a very typical Red Hot Chili Peppers-album. It doesn't really surprise a lot, but it's catchy, it's groovy, and it's hot!

Starting the album with the mellow "The Getaway", the typical sound of the band is immediately recognizable; funky basslines, groovy drums, and beautiful strokes of guitar to paint the picture. Kiedis' vocals seem, although a bit produced at times, very tight and clear. With "Dark Necessities" we immediately feel the Pepper-vibe that we got used to for so long. It's got a great bass-riff, Flea is slapping and popping for what it's worth, and the chorus is so catchy and pretty, it makes you wanna sing and dance along every time. This is a formula that the Peppers have had for years, and which seems to be perfected this album. Almost every song has it's own crazy part, it's own beautiful part and it's own catchy part, without sounding too repetitive.

Lyric-wise this album is everything that we could expect from Red Hot Chili Peppers; crazy, sometimes abstract, sometimes very direct, and often involving references to sex and addiction. Kiedis' break-up with the young model Helena Vestergaard also seems to serve as a big inspiration for this album, with more references to failed love before. A good example of this is "The Longest Wave", where Kiedis seems to make amends with saying goodbye. As the album continues, there aren't a lot of surprises. Songs like We Turn Red, Go Robot and Sick Love are very enjoyable and catchy, but never do they leave the old formula.

Just when you feel like the album loses its magic a little, the band uses their secret weapon. On the last songs they start to experiment with song form, rhythm and ambiance more than the former part of the album. Songs like "This Ticonderoga" (although featuring arguably the worst line of lyrics on the record) and "Dreams of a Samurai" show a combination of different sides of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the combination works. The biggest surprise, and one of the major highlights of the album comes in the song "The Hunter", which seems to be an ode to Kiedis' father. It's a beautiful, very atmospherical song, featuring a trumpet solo played by Flea, and it shows an emotional side of the band that they failed to show for a while. 

The formula still works, but it's the combination of the old Red Hot Chili Pepper formula with the new surprises that make this album a very decent one. Josh Klinghoffer seems to have found his spot in the band, and the band seems to have fully embraced him in their midst. This can only mean good things for what's to come!

Top Songs:
- Dark Necessities

- The Longest Wave

- Go Robot

- The Hunter

Best Lyric:

"Even though you raised me I will never be your father"

("The Hunter")

Musicians:
Anthony Kiedis - Vocals
Josh Klinghoffer - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Michael Peter "Flea" Balzary - Bass, Trumpet
Chadwick Smith - Drums

Producer:
Brian Joseph "Danger Mouse" Burton

Recorded @:
Sound Factory, Hollywood, CA

Released:
17 June 2016

Reviewed by:
Thijs Grootveld

Rating:
8/10